Will the War Shift from Gaza to the West Bank?

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Will the War Shift from Gaza to the West Bank?
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Zaidoon Alhadid

Zaidoon Alhadid is a journalist and political commentator based in Amman.

It seems increasingly plausible that tensions could escalate in the West Bank, potentially leading to an outbreak of violence at any moment, especially given the volatile political and security conditions in the region. اضافة اعلان

Recent months have witnessed a surge in clashes between Palestinians and the occupying forces.

The West Bank has long been a focal point of tensions, particularly with the intensification of settlement activities and security crackdowns.

The ongoing conflict in Gaza may have provided Palestinian factions and resistance groups with an opportunity to increase pressure in the West Bank, especially in areas known for armed resistance against the Israeli occupation.

This raises the possibility of the conflict spreading from Gaza to the West Bank.

However, while there are strong indicators supporting the potential for conflict spillover, other factors must be considered, which could influence the likelihood of such a scenario.

One significant factor is the differing military contexts of Gaza and the West Bank. Gaza is an open battlefield, whereas the West Bank is densely populated with cities and refugee camps, making it more susceptible to severe military repercussions from the Israeli forces.

This, in turn, could prompt international intervention to curb an escalation of hostilities.

The international community may strive to prevent an escalation that could lead to widespread intervention.

Additionally, the U.S. deep state, in particular, is unlikely to favor substantial regional changes that could threaten its interests at this time.

Nevertheless, in my view, the chances of the war transitioning to the West Bank would increase if newly re-elected U.S.

President Donald Trump continues his strong, pro-Israel policies. During his previous term, his administration made significant moves such as relocating the U.S. embassy to Jerusalem and recognizing Israeli sovereignty over the Golan Heights.

Should he return to power in 2025, this could mark a shift from the softer U.S. policies of recent years.

Trump's return to the White House may mean ongoing pressure on Palestinians to accept political settlements favoring Israel.

This could intensify the conflict in the West Bank, particularlyif Trump prioritizes military aid to Israel as a cornerstone of his foreign policy.

However, Trump might hesitate to allow a major military escalation in the West Bank, not only due to the military risks involved but also out of concern for potential political repercussions that could harm U.S. interests due to mounting international pressure.

While predicting whether the war will shift to the West Bank remains challenging, I believe it is a matter of time given the volatile local and regional dynamics we are witnessing.

The strained conditions between Palestinians and the Israeli occupation, coupled with unwavering U.S. support for Israel, make escalation inevitable.

We cannot discount the possibility that this could lead to a broader regional explosion in the future.