Israel accuses Iran of building terrorist infrastructure in West Bank

An Israeli official, speaking to Iran International, revealed that "terrorists, with the support of the Islamic Republic," have established military bases in cities and refugee camps across the West Bank.

The official emphasized that Israel's ongoing operation, aimed at dismantling this Iranian-backed network, has no set end date.

The senior Israeli official outlined the extent of Iran's involvement in the West Bank, accusing Tehran of being the driving force behind the growing militant presence in the region. "Tehran has been involved in equipping, planning, and building terrorist infrastructure in the West Bank for more than two and a half years," the official stated.

"Officials of the Islamic Republic have provided money, weapons, and military training to Palestinian militants, and this [Israeli] operation aims to disrupt and destroy their capabilities."

Tensions have flared up between Tehran and Jerusalem in recent months, with Iran launching an unprecedented missile and drone attack on April that Israeli air defenses and allied air forces were able to fend off.

The official noted that the operation has already resulted in the deaths of 18 people, two of whom were civilians. "The military is currently investigating the circumstances surrounding these civilian deaths, but the focus remains on dismantling the terrorist networks that Iran has helped establish," he added.

The ongoing military operation, which began early Wednesday, is one of the largest attacks on the West Bank in months. It spans the flashpoint cities of Tulkarm, Jenin, and the Jordan Valley, involving hundreds of troops, drones, helicopters, and armored vehicles.

This campaign, as Israeli officials have made clear, is not just a reaction to local unrest but a broader strategy to counter Iranian influence in the region. Israel's UN Ambassador Danny Danon has been vocal about Iran's role, stating, "Since October 7th, Iran has been actively working to smuggle sophisticated explosive devices into Judea and Samaria, intended for use in suicide bombings in the heart of Israeli cities."

On October 7, 2023, Hamas militants launched a large-scale surprise attack on Israel from the Gaza Strip. This unprecedented assault involved the firing of thousands of rockets into Israel, along with coordinated ground operations where Hamas fighters breached the border and infiltrated Israeli towns and military bases. The attack resulted in the deaths of approximately 1,200 Israelis, including both civilians and soldiers, and led to the capture of over 250 hostages, who were taken back to Gaza by the militants.

Israeli Foreign Minister Yisrael Katz has described the situation as "a war in every sense," highlighting Iran's attempts to destabilize the region by arming and funding militant groups. "The IDF is operating with force since the night, in the refugee camps of Jenin and Tulkarm to thwart Islamic-Iranian terror infrastructure that was set up there," Katz wrote on Wednesday. He suggested that Israel might need to consider "temporary evacuations" of Palestinian neighborhoods to minimize civilian casualties, a tactic that has already been employed extensively in Gaza.

Tehran's support for militant groups in the West Bank is viewed by Israel as part of a broader effort to encircle and weaken the Jewish state, much like the ongoing tensions with Hezbollah on Israel's northern border.

Despite these concerns, Israel remains resolute in its mission. "The State of Israel will not sit idly by and wait for scenes of buses and cafes exploding in city centers," ambassador Danon asserted, emphasizing Israel's determination to confront the threats.