Israeli Security Officials Warn of New Wave of Attacks Due to Government Policies

SadaNews - Israeli security officials have warned of a new wave of attacks due to government policies, following the incident that occurred on Friday between Beit Shean and Afula, which resulted in the death of an Israeli man and woman and the injury of the assailant from Qabatiya south of Jenin.

They stated that "the heavy price left by the incident (on Friday) will drive the security services to adopt a policy of iron fist" regarding the occupied West Bank, considering that "the enhancement and intensification of forces at the line of contact indicates that this will not pass quietly. Army forces are operating in Qabatiya and other locations."

According to the Israeli website "Walla," the incident on Friday brings to the forefront questions about government policies related to the sharp reduction in the entry of Palestinian workers from the West Bank into Israel since October 7, 2023, and the severe economic pressure imposed on the Palestinian Authority against the backdrop of rising unemployment, in addition to the security services' (the army, the Shin Bet, border guards, and police) incapacity on both sides of the line of contact regarding the arrest of Palestinian workers and addressing the escalating phenomenon, especially in the vicinity of Jerusalem.

This comes due to the decision of the Israeli political level to drastically reduce Palestinian workers entering Israel, while bringing in foreign workers from abroad without addressing the repercussions in the West Bank or formulating a future policy.

An Israeli security source familiar with the details stated that "a situation has arisen that distracts attention from the state of turmoil in the territories of the West Bank, and to avoid exacerbating the situation further, the issue of infiltrations of illegal residents into Israel is overlooked. This reminds one of the days before October 7."

Israeli military officials also mentioned that the assailant who carried out the incident on Friday was banned from entering by a decision of the General Security Service (Shin Bet), and therefore infiltrated into Israel unlawfully. They added, "A clear decision must be made: either address the phenomenon of illegal residents with an iron fist, or allow them to enter and work in Israel. This middle ground is very dangerous, before delving deeply into the impact of the government decision on the Israeli economy and which sectors have been harmed."

In the same context, sources in the security services indicated several operations carried out under the command of the Central Region of the Israeli army, including the operation "Five Stones," which did not achieve the desired results due to gaps in the intelligence field, especially in the northern occupied West Bank. One of the sources stated that they had expected a larger number of arrests and to find more weapons.

The Israeli army currently fears that the double incident will serve as an inspiration for other solitary Palestinians to carry out additional attacks using vehicles or knives or using firearms in the West Bank and deeper inside Israel, exploiting the gaps at the line of contact; according to "Walla."