IDF Gears Up for Potential Palestinian Violence

The Palestinians may launch a massive assault against Israel in the coming months, reports indicate, and the IDF is preparing for such a development. 

The IDF is training for the possibility of a Palestinian uprising in the coming months, Israel’s NRG news site reports.

The results of the upcoming elections in Israel, coupled with the deteriorating economic situation in the territories under the administration of the Palestinian Authority (PA), could reignite the region, according to intelligence assessments.

The IDF is rescheduling its training and will move forces into Judea and Samaria (West Bank) to boost the existing forces.

The site reports that according to Israel’s estimation, the PA could collapse financially in the near future. Israel is withholding millions of dollars in tax funds it had collected on behalf the PA for December and will continue to do so for the time being in response to the PA’s diplomatic warfare against Israel.

Also, the US could decide to discontinue funding the PA because of recent Palestinian diplomatic belligerence against Israel, which may even consist of a breach of American law.

A lack of funds would result in the PA’s inability to pay its employees.

Sitting on a Powder Keg?

“The PA will continue with its confrontational course against Israel and has already begun to so do. If it [a violent outbreak] materializes in March, we will see then how things develop,” a security source told NRG. “We are not passing over the money, and they may be planning internal financial moves, or a donor may emerge suddenly. It is very dynamic, but Abu-Mazen’s [PA leader Mahmoud Abbas] behavior is very confrontational. The question if he will go all the way remains unanswered.”

In the meantime, IDF officers in the region report a definite change in atmosphere and the possibility of an upheaval. The IDF’s Central Command is preparing for a possible rise in the frequency of terror attacks against the IDF and Israeli citizens living in Judea and Samaria. Hatred and disdain towards Israel are clear and present, and any small incident could kindle the explosive flames, the report concludes.

By: Atara Beck, World Israel News