Hamas Escalates West Bank Operations, Threatens “Long and Brutal” War as Gaza Ceasefire Shifts Focus
Executive Summary
Following the Gaza ceasefire agreement with Israel, Hamas has intensified its efforts to destabilize the West Bank by rallying terror militias, particularly the Jenin Brigade, and inciting violence against both Israeli targets and the Palestinian Authority (PA). Hamas officials, including military spokesman Abu Obeida, have called for widespread mobilization in the West Bank, urging Palestinians to escalate confrontations with Israel. The PA, meanwhile, accuses Hamas of attempting to replicate Gaza’s chaos in the West Bank, further straining intra-Palestinian relations. Meanwhile, Qatari government media lauded the Gaza ceasefire as a “crushing victory” for Hamas, framing the agreement as part of an ongoing resistance strategy. As Israel grapples with Hamas’s resurgent power in Gaza and the West Bank, international observers warn of a fragile truce at risk of collapse.
Analysis
Hamas’s Strategy: From Gaza to the West Bank
The ceasefire in Gaza has allowed Hamas to shift focus to the West Bank, where it views unrest as a critical extension of its conflict with Israel. Senior Hamas officials have praised the Jenin Brigade—a militia comprising fighters from Hamas, Islamic Jihad, and other groups—as a model for escalating attacks. Hamas is also using social media to incite terror attacks, with propaganda urging Palestinians to carry out shootings, bombings, and ambushes.
Hamas’s strategy extends to undermining the PA, which it accuses of collaborating with Israel. The PA’s counterterrorism operations, such as the recent “Defense of the Homeland” campaign targeting the Jenin Brigade, have failed to dismantle militant networks, leaving Israel to intervene with its own operation, “Iron Wall.”
PA’s Response: Accusations of Chaos Exportation
The PA, led by Fatah, has condemned Hamas for attempting to replicate Gaza’s instability in the West Bank. Fatah officials accuse Hamas of prioritizing its power consolidation over Palestinian unity, a claim echoed in the PA’s state-run media. PA security forces remain at odds with Hamas-linked militias, highlighting growing divisions between the two entities.
Qatari Support for Hamas and Gaza Ceasefire Spin
Qatar, a broker of the Gaza ceasefire, continues its overt support for Hamas. Qatari officials, including Education Minister Lolwah Al-Khater, have praised the truce as a victory for resistance. Qatari media celebrated Hamas’s perceived triumph, comparing the agreement to the Treaty of Hudaybiyyah—a symbolic Islamic precedent for temporary truces meant to be broken when advantageous.
Resurgent Hamas in Gaza
Despite heavy losses during the war, Hamas militants have reasserted control in Gaza, symbolized by their public appearances in military gear and their role in managing humanitarian aid distribution. Israeli leaders, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, have shifted rhetoric from destroying Hamas entirely to weakening its grip, but the group’s re-emergence raises questions about the efficacy of Israel’s military objectives.
Final Thoughts
Hamas’s escalating activities in the West Bank, coupled with its ability to maintain power in Gaza, underscore the group’s resilience and evolving strategy. The fragile Gaza ceasefire is at risk as Hamas incites violence in the West Bank, further destabilizing the region and deepening the rift with the PA.
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