Israeli warnings are escalating over the possibility of a new version of the Al Aqsa Flood being repeated, this time from the West Bank, particularly amid the presence of at least 50,000 Palestinians inside the occupied interior, whom occupation security agencies label as “infiltrators”. This constitutes a clear accusation against the government and military policies of turning a blind eye to them and failing to curb this phenomenon.
Yoav Zitun, the military correspondent for Yedioth Ahronoth, claimed that “the occupation’s objective is to buy security calm in the West Bank rather than organise oversight of Palestinian workers on whom the Israeli economy depends. Here lies the reason behind the decision to leave 60 kilometres of land open in the Jerusalem area and along the mountain slopes, and the consequences of overlooking this, even though the writing has long been on the wall.”
Closing Refugee Camps
In a report translated by Arabi21, he added that “despite statements by the army and political leadership about a complete closure of the town of Qabatiya, as was the case during the days of the Second Intifada following the deadly attack last Friday near Beisan, active movement of Palestinian vehicles was observed in the town located in the northern West Bank. During 2024, dozens left the Jenin refugee camp after the army took control of the area, in an unprecedented step.”
He explained that “the greater problem lies further afield and is more significant than merely another short-term operation against a village following an attack that began and ended with the arrest of a lone assailant. The goal of intensifying operations in Qabatiya, where the army carried out a large-scale operation, is not solely to uncover the circumstances of the attack. The weapons Palestinians use in their operations are vehicle ramming and stabbing with knives, which are available to any Palestinian at any moment.”
He claimed that “this extensive operation aims to prevent copycat militants from drawing inspiration from the ‘success’ of those who carried out the armed operations, as some potential suspects who might follow in their footsteps were arrested. The deeper problem lies in government policy that began around twenty years ago, following the end of the Second Intifada and the completion of the separation fence along the seam line surrounding the West Bank. This habitual policy of governmental neglect has been implemented by dozens of army commanders in the West Bank, Central Command generals, and, of course, the chiefs of staff.”
He asserted that “this security concept allows tens of thousands of Palestinians to enter the occupying state without work permits to earn a living there illegally. While their average monthly wages in the West Bank range between 1,200 and 1,500 shekels, they earn six to seven times that amount inside the occupied interior. Once every year or two, and in light of waves of attacks carried out by Palestinian assailants who exploited the many breaches, the army launches special operations during which soldiers pursue and arrest illegal infiltrators, most of whom are workers seeking their daily bread.”
Security Breaches
He added that “in 2022 there was a slight improvement, as a budget was allocated to close breaches along approximately 90 kilometres of the seam line, specifically opposite the Sharon and Gilboa areas, and a small section around Mount Hebron. One Central Command officer described the security situation by saying that every fence and every wall can be bypassed, particularly to bring food to families. There are currently 23 battalions in the West Bank, forces assigned to the seam line, and reinforced border police for this mission, but ultimately it is impossible to deploy a company at every geographic breach.”
He explained that “there is a standing decision to maintain the status quo for two reasons. The first is economic calm, thanks to livelihoods provided by tens of thousands of illegal infiltrators instead of their engagement in resistance operations. The second is the Israeli economy’s dependence on them. As long as these illegal infiltrators kill ‘only’ five to ten Israelis annually, this price appears ‘acceptable’ compared to the alternative of a major explosion in the West Bank as well.”
He noted that “the discussion concerns 100,000 workers from the West Bank. After the Hamas attack on 7 October, the government decided to prevent their entry into the occupying state, but a small number were allowed in from time to time, primarily for essential work such as cleaning staff in hospitals and construction work in settlements. The army and the General Security Service, Shin Bet, urged the government to allow their return to work, as did the economic sector, especially the construction industry.”
Gaza War
He elaborated that “the military establishment clarified that regarding workers numbering between 100,000 and 120,000, it would be possible to monitor and screen them at the crossings. The political leadership was partially convinced and agreed to a pilot project equipped with enhanced inspection capabilities at the crossings, but little tangible progress was made. Under the cover of preoccupation with the prolonged war in Gaza and other factors, tens of thousands entered illegally, including those who obtained permits, because crossing through the illegal breaches is faster.”
He confirmed that “current estimates indicate the presence of 50,000 Palestinians residing in the occupied interior. Progress made in closing the wall on the western side of the seam line, parallel to Highway 6, also led to other phenomena, whereby more and more Palestinians flowed into areas relatively distant from their homes in Palestinian communities or from their workplaces in the occupied interior, such as the Jerusalem area. To address this breach, they remain there for longer periods that may reach one or two months.”
He concluded by saying that “in one scenario, officers simulated a bloody invasion of the western Negev through the infiltration of dozens of armed units into settlements or the shooting at Israeli vehicles on both sides of the Green Line. In the second wave, an angry crowd of tens of thousands of Palestinians, armed with knives or clubs, crossed through the breaches used by infiltrators.”
These lines reveal that the occupation army has grown increasingly concerned about the repetition of a flood style attack scenario from the West Bank this time, as more drills and discussions within its military circles focus on a scenario not witnessed for nearly a quarter of a century, namely the violent, simultaneous, and parallel eruption of tens of thousands of armed individuals across the West Bank.
