Israel is preparing for a ‘major military operation’ and has called up reserve troops, seeking to double down on weeks of increased violence which has left scores of Palestinians dead.
In the last 48 hours, Israel has savaged both Gaza and Lebanon with deadly airstrikes, after Palestinian fighters launched retaliatory rocket attacks in reaction to Israel’s ritual humiliation of worshippers at al-Aqsa observing prayers during Ramadan.
Israeli forces have stormed the Al-Aqsa compound several times since the holy month began just over a fortnight ago, using stun grenades, rubber bullets and batons to expel the mostly Palestinian worshippers.
Hundreds of Palestinians have been arrested and injured in the stormings.
Israel musters military forces
Israel Defense Forces Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi ordered on Friday the call-up of reserve troops to bolster Israel’s military
Reservists have, until recently, been refusing to take part in training drills over the planned judicial overhaul, but said they would return to service in a situation of live conflict.
Halevi clarified in a statement on Friday afternoon that the Halevi said the call-up was focused on airborne units and the “air attack arrays” - implying that increased Israeli assaults from the air on Palestinian cities may be imminent.
Israeli police chiefs have also encouraged the Israeli civilians to carry weapons in an attempt to mobilise vigilante citizens to take matters into their own hands.
“The motivation to disturb the peace has risen in recent days, and is a result of unrelenting incitement,” said Israel’s police commissioner Kobi Shabtai.
West Bank on lockdown
Israel’s grip on the occupied West Bank has tightened again yet further after two settlers in a shooting attack outside their illegal settlement in the Jordan Valley.
Hani Zubeidat told al-Araby al-Jadeed that “Occupying forces have closed all entrances to Jericho with military checkpoints, and are searching all vehicles,” in the search for the Palestinians who undertook the attack.
The site of the operation, on the outskirts of an illegal settlement at Hamra junction, has been completely closed off, according to local sources - blocking the way from Jericho to Nablus entirely.
Revenge attacks by settlers under protection of the Israeli army are already taking place in the area close to today’s attack, say local leaders.
Settlers have “burned houses and farm machinery” in nearby Faroush, according to village elder Azem Haj Mohammed, and are beginning to mount further attacks on local residents.