In the days since a tenuous ceasefire was implemented in the Gaza Strip, Israel has launched a large-scale military operation in the occupied West Bank, while suspected Jewish settlers have unleashed violent rampages in two Palestinian towns.
This surge in violence coincides with mounting domestic pressure on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu from his far-right coalition partners, who have voiced discontent over his agreement to the truce and the hostage-prisoner exchange deal with the Hamas militant group.
Meanwhile, U.S. President Donald Trump has reversed sanctions imposed during the Biden administration on Israelis accused of violence in the territory.
Fragile Ceasefire at Risk
The situation presents a combustible mix that threatens to unravel the ceasefire, which is intended to last for at least six weeks. The agreement includes the release of dozens of hostages in exchange for hundreds of Palestinian prisoners, most of whom will return to the West Bank.
Israel captured the West Bank, Gaza, and East Jerusalem during the 1967 Mideast war, and Palestinians claim these territories for a future state. However, violence in one region often escalates tensions elsewhere, raising concerns that the next phase of the Gaza ceasefire—yet to be negotiated and far more complex—may never materialize.
Settler Rampages and Military Raids
On Monday night, dozens of masked men attacked two Palestinian villages in the northern West Bank. According to local Palestinian officials, the assailants hurled stones and set fire to cars and property. The Red Crescent emergency service reported that 12 people were beaten and injured during the rampage.
Simultaneously, Israeli forces conducted a raid in another part of the West Bank, responding to firebomb attacks on Israeli vehicles. The military reported detaining several suspects for questioning. Footage circulating online showed what appeared to be dozens of detainees being marched through the streets.
On Tuesday, the Israeli military launched a major operation in the northern West Bank city of Jenin, a flashpoint for clashes between Israeli forces and Palestinian militants in recent years. This escalation follows the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack that triggered the ongoing conflict in Gaza.
The Palestinian Health Ministry reported at least nine deaths on Tuesday, including a 16-year-old, and 40 injuries. The military claimed it conducted airstrikes, dismantled roadside bombs, and “hit” ten militants, though details of what this entailed remain unclear. Residents have also reported a significant increase in Israeli checkpoints and travel delays across the territory.
Israel justifies these operations as a response to rising threats in the West Bank. Earlier this month, Palestinian gunmen killed three Israelis, including two women in their 70s, sparking calls from settler leaders for a harsher crackdown.
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz framed the Jenin operation as part of a broader struggle against Iran and its regional proxies, stating, “We will strike the octopus’ arms until they snap.”
Palestinians, however, see these operations and ongoing settlement expansions as measures to solidify Israeli control over the territory, where 3 million Palestinians live under open-ended Israeli military rule.
The Western-backed Palestinian Authority governs cities and towns, but prominent human rights organizations describe the situation as a form of apartheid, citing the stark disparity in rights between Palestinians and over 500,000 Jewish settlers living in the West Bank. Israel denies these accusations.
Challenges for Netanyahu
Netanyahu faces internal strife within his ultranationalist coalition following the ceasefire agreement. The deal mandates an Israeli withdrawal from most of Gaza and the release of hundreds of Palestinian prisoners, including individuals convicted of violent crimes, in exchange for hostages taken during the October 7 attack.
This agreement has drawn sharp criticism from far-right figures like Itamar Ben-Gvir, who resigned in protest the day the truce took effect.
Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich has also threatened to exit the coalition if the war does not resume after the initial ceasefire phase ends in early March. Both leaders advocate for annexing the West Bank, rebuilding settlements in Gaza, and promoting the “voluntary migration” of Palestinians.
Although Netanyahu retains a parliamentary majority after Ben-Gvir’s departure, Smotrich’s potential exit would significantly weaken the government and likely trigger early elections.
Such a scenario could end Netanyahu’s nearly uninterrupted 16-year tenure, leaving him vulnerable to corruption charges and an anticipated public inquiry into Israel’s inability to prevent the October 7 attack.
Trump’s Influence
The return of Donald Trump to the U.S. presidency offers a potential boost to Netanyahu. During his previous term, Trump provided unprecedented support to Israel and has now surrounded himself with advisors who endorse Israeli settlements.
Some justify these settlements based on a biblical claim to the West Bank, citing the ancient Jewish kingdoms that once existed there. The international community, however, overwhelmingly considers settlements illegal.
One of Trump’s first actions upon taking office was to rescind Biden-era sanctions targeting settlers and Jewish extremists accused of violence against Palestinians.
Although the sanctions were largely symbolic, they marked one of the few tangible steps the Biden administration took to oppose Israeli policies. Despite this, the U.S. continued to provide billions of dollars in military aid during Israel’s highly destructive Gaza campaign.
Trump also claimed credit for facilitating the Gaza ceasefire agreement during the final days of Biden’s presidency. However, he has since expressed skepticism about its longevity, declaring, “It’s not our war; it’s their war,” and signaling that he would grant Israel greater latitude in its military operations.