TEL AVIV – Two major developments may soon translate into a spike in attempted terrorist attacks against Israelis, according to informed Middle Eastern security officials.
Firstly, the Iranian-backed Hezbollah terrorist organization has invested hundreds of thousands of dollars to recruit Palestinians in the strategic West Bank to commit attacks against Israelis living in the territory and those inside major cities such as Jerusalem and Tel Aviv.
The officials say the Palestinian Authority, in part working with Israel, arrested Palestinians who admitted to being paid up to thousands of dollars each to work for Hezbollah.
Besides forming a cell to carry out attacks, the arrested Palestinians also were asked to spy for Hezbollah.
Some of those arrested include members of the official PA security apparatus, evidencing a possible problem of Hezbollah infiltration.
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Hezbollah has also been investing money in weapons and training for cells inside the West Bank, the officials said.
In a second development, the security officials said Hamas has been reconstituting its military wing in the West Bank, where the rival Fatah party usually dominates.
The officials said PA President Mahmoud Abbas has been turning a blind eye to the resurgence of Hamas's brigades in the West Bank to preserve the unity deal he signed with the Islamic terrorist group last month.
The Hamas-PA reconciliation agreement calls for an independent government, led for now by Abbas, while paving the way for new elections.
Hamas officials have stated many times that the unity deal does not alter the group’s commitment to jihad. They have affirmed Hamas would never recognize the existence of the Jewish state.