As fatalities rise among Palestinians and Israelis in the occupied territories, Israeli officials point to a new pattern of support for the violence. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described the attacker as part of a broader terrorist campaign, saying from the scene of the shooting that killed an Israeli woman that the assault is being fostered and financed by Iran and allied states. The presence of Hezbollah, the Lebanese Shiite militia, is no longer a distant threat on the northern border; its influence in the West Bank is increasingly treated as a reality rather than a rumor.
Iran has long supported Palestinian groups, including Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad. Israeli security briefings now warn of an escalated danger as attacks on settlers in the West Bank rise, along with arms smuggling and other violent incidents. These factors feed into the Israeli Army’s operations, now entering a second year. In 2023, nearly 200 Palestinians were killed in the broader cycle of violence, while about 30 Israelis lost their lives on the Israeli side.
key financing
The Palestinian Authority’s waning influence has allowed local factions to consolidate power in areas under occupation, shaping defense arrangements and political representation. In recent weeks, leaders from these groups traveled to Tehran and met with senior Iranian officials, including the Supreme Leader and the president. The Iranian leadership has publicly signaled support for a more assertive stance in the West Bank, emphasizing resilience against what it terms Zionist aggression. The exchange underscores Tehran’s aim to bolster armed groups in the territory, a message echoed by leaders connected to Palestinian Islamic Jihad during visits in June. Iranian officials have framed these developments as a shift toward greater durability in the West Bank.
In the days that followed, Palestinian actions against occupying forces have intensified, with deadly consequences. Israeli officials warn that significant changes are unfolding on the ground, driven by Iranian funding and the spread of weapons under Iranian direction. Israeli defense figures have stressed that Iran seeks to empower operations against Israeli civilians, highlighting the circulation of arms that have reached Palestinian groups with Tehran’s backing. Some militants use weapons components valued in the tens of thousands of dollars, reflecting the high cost of armament in the region.
security gap
The weakening of the Palestinian Authority has created a security vacuum in areas controlled by Hamas and Islamic Jihad. Shifts in regional dynamics, including reduced funding from some Gulf partners, have left militias to fill the financial and operational gaps. Iran has pursued opportunities to project influence across the arena, while Hezbollah, backed by Tehran, has supported allied groups along the border. Analysts warn that establishing a sustained front across Israel and the West Bank would benefit Hezbollah, extending a broader confrontation as tensions threaten to spill over into border regions with Israel. This assessment comes from researchers who monitor Middle East security dynamics and the implications for regional stability.
As Israeli forces face ongoing low-intensity violence, some analysts warn that persistent confrontation could entrench a cycle of retaliation. There is concern that miscalculations or asymmetric responses could trigger a wider flashpoint, potentially rekindling a broader intifada. The escalation in the occupied territories has already influenced nearby fronts, including Hezbollah’s area of operation along the Israel-Lebanon border. With the economy already under strain, the region stands at a sensitive juncture where external sponsorship and local militancy intersect, influencing both security and political calculations across the whole area.