Will the heat of war increase again in the Middle East? Netanyahu’s big decision regarding West Bank

New Delhi: Tension between Israel and Palestine has once again intensified. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu made a big statement on Sunday saying that security forces are ready for large-scale action in the occupied West Bank. His statement is being seen as a signal to increase military operations in the area.

What did Netanyahu say?   

Speaking to Al Jazeera, Netanyahu said that security forces have been given strict instructions to go into villages, search houses, seize weapons and arrest suspects. He stressed that Israel is fully prepared to take comprehensive action against ‘terrorist targets’. According to the PM, the army’s focus right now is on strengthening its hold in the entire West Bank and tightening security operations.

This statement of Netanyahu has come at a time when daily raids by the Israeli army are going on in the West Bank. There have also been reports of attacks by people from Israeli settlements in some areas. In this background, his statement is being considered as a preparation to take the current campaign further.

pain of local people   

On the other hand, Palestinian citizens of the West Bank say that their difficulties are continuously increasing. Isa Amro, founder of ‘Youth Against Settlements’, while speaking to Al Jazeera, said that people living in the occupied areas are living amidst violence and fear every day.

According to him, the number of attacks has increased significantly in the last few months. Whenever a citizen tries to save his home, family or property, he is either targeted or detained.

Isa Amro claimed that due to continuous attacks and pressure, more than 20 Palestinian communities have left their villages in the last few years. Hundreds of families have been forced to leave their lands, homes and settlements. He called it a step like ‘ethnic cleansing’.

Reason for tension in West Bank   

There have been reports of Israeli army operations and clashes in the West Bank for the past several weeks. On one hand the army is carrying out search operations, on the other hand the conflict between settlements and Palestinian areas is increasing. Because of this, the everyday life of common people has been badly affected. Schools, markets and roads are being closed. Curfew like situation prevails in many areas.

What will happen next now?    

After Netanyahu’s latest statement, the eyes of the international community are focused on the West Bank. Analysts believe that if Israel starts a large-scale operation, the violence may increase further.

At present the situation in the area remains tense. On one hand the army’s action is continuing, on the other hand the local people are worried about the security and their homes. It will be important to see how the situation turns in the coming days.