Increase in Israeli incursions into West Bank sparks US criticism and heightens tensions

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The increase in the number of Israeli military incursions in the West Bank, in actions classified by the country’s forces as fighting terrorism, has increased the pressure of international observers on the Israeli government. Even traditional allies the United States raised their tone this week.

Palestinians claim that they are currently experiencing one of the most violent periods in recent years, with deaths in the dozens. According to Israel, the increase was in response to a wave of attacks against citizens of the country that left at least 18 dead.

In a rare diplomatic gesture, a US State Department spokesman said Tuesday that Washington would continue to pressure Israel to review its rules of engagement in the West Bank and reduce the risk to Palestinian civilians. and journalists. Pressure will be exerted, according to Vedant Patel during a press conference, at the highest levels of the government.

Antony Blinken, US Secretary of State, had already made this request in conversations with Israeli authorities, but the spokesperson’s speech brought the discussion to public debate – which generated strong reactions from Israel. “No one is going to dictate our rules of combat, when we are the ones who are fighting to defend our lives,” Prime Minister Yair Lapid said in response to speeches from Washington.

Eytan Gilboa, professor of international relations at Bar-Ilan University in Israel, told Sheet that the American comments were “ridiculous” and “outrageous”. “A crisis has been created. The US is now trying to turn around. But it is a crisis, and I hope it resolves itself soon.”

The Washington diplomacy spokesperson cited the rules of engagement when commenting on the death of Palestinian-American journalist Shireen Abu Akleh, from the Al Jazeera TV network, in May. The case has become one of the Israeli government’s biggest recent challenges in terms of its public image. An almost mythical name among Arabs for its coverage and a frequent figure on the screens of the Qatari broadcaster, the reporter was killed in the city of Jenin, in the West Bank, while following an Israeli military action.

Investigations by prestigious newspapers, international human rights organizations and even the US and the UN blamed Israel for the shooting that killed Abu Akleh. For months, the country denied responsibility and suggested that the shooting was actually the work of the Palestinians. This week, the government admitted that it was likely one of its soldiers was responsible for the reporter’s death, albeit accidentally.

The Military Public Ministry, in turn, announced that it did not see any suspicion of a criminal act “that would justify a criminal investigation”.

Abu Akleh’s death, however, should not go off the radar of pro-Palestinian activists, who consider the case to add to a list of factors that have hardened views on Israel in recent years. Criticism focuses on air strikes in the Gaza Strip, the impact of military counter-terrorism actions on civilians and the fact that Israeli forces attacked, with truncheons and stun bombs, men who were carrying the journalist’s coffin at her funeral, last May.

Israel says its incursions into the West Bank, territory it has occupied since 1967, were intensified in response to a recent wave of attacks on Israelis that left 18 dead. Many of the operations take place in the city of Jenin, considered a militant stronghold — and where Abu Akleh was killed.

The Palestinian Health Ministry says around 100 Palestinians have died in the latest Israeli campaign, among them militants and civilians. Despite international pressure, there are no signs that tensions in the region will ease. The Israeli army said in a recent note that it may even increase its scope.

Echoing the official narrative, Gilboa says the country has been forced to act because Palestinian authorities have been unable to control the population. The fact that Israel is preparing to go to the polls in November — the fifth election in three years — also weighs heavily. “The opposition accuses the government of not doing enough to prevent terrorism.”

On Tuesday, an incursion left at least one Palestinian dead and wounded 16 in Jenin. The man has been identified as Mohammad Sabaaneh, 29. According to witnesses, he was filming the Israeli actions with his cell phone when he was shot. Israel says it will investigate the episode. On Wednesday, Palestinians accused Israel of killing Younis Tayeh, 21, in a raid on the village of Tubas. According to the family, he was shot for no reason; the Israelis say there was an exchange of fire.

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