How does Israel contain Palestinian terrorism without provoking the third Intifada? Recent weeks have seen the largest escalation in violence between Israel and the Palestinian since 2021. Israeli forces have killed at least 42 Palestinians so far this year; and eleven Israelis, mostly civilians, have been killed in a series of terror attacks. The violence is in danger of spiralling out of control.
Although Israel has been successful in capturing or killing terrorists (but also several innocents), it has encouraged more unrest in the West Bank. The nationalistic rhetoric of members of the Israeli government, including talks of expanding Jewish settlements in Palestinian territory, is making it worse.
Hamas has so far largely remained on the sidelines. Although it supports and incites acts of terrorism, it hasn’t engaged in any obvious way in the recent attacks. Hamas is not interested in an escalation of violence that may see an Israeli military operation in Gaza.
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