Many years ago the rationale behind the Israelis’ policy was explained to me like this.
Imagine that the Palestinians stopped defending themselves from Israeli attacks. The situation would become quiet. Over time and as trust between the Israelis and Palestinians was rebuilt, the conditions for both the Israelis and Palestinians would improve. It would be easier to commute from Gaza to Israel. The Israelis would not need to man the checkpoints that control transit.
Now imagine that Israelis stopped defending themselves from attacks by Hamas or Hezbollah. Thousands would be killed. All of the Jews in Israel would be at risk.
In other words the situations are not symmetrical.
Conditions are much worse now than when I had that conversation. The Israelis are more nationalistic and more of them are committed to uprooting the Palestinians from what they regard as “Greater Israel” than used to be the case. Every terrorist attack makes the case stronger.
“The situation would become quiet. Over time and as trust between the Israelis and Palestinians was rebuilt, the conditions for both the Israelis and Palestinians would improve. ”
What you have, actually, is that Fatah was largely playing by the rules, no big attacks like Hamas. They have actually been in conflict with Hamas, at least partially at the urging of Israel. The result is not conditions improving. Instead Israel is more aggressively pursuing more settlements on the West Bank. What has been reported is that Israel pulled IDF troops from Gaza to aid this effort. Judging by Israel’s actions they dont care how well the Palestinians behave, they are going to take the West Bank. That will take a few more years. I think we can expect a harsher blockade of Gaza and once they dont troops so much in the West Bank a firmer DMZ type zone with more permanent troops around Gaza.
Think about it. Hamas has a history of attacking Israel. So on the 50th anniversary of the last big surprise attack you have pulled your troops on the day when you are most likely to get attacked. Actions speak louder than words. Putting settlers into the West Bank was their higher priority.
Steve
Since it didnt get a lot of coverage in the US, article showing that they were setting a record with the number of new settlements they were putting in the West Bank. As has been well reported they had pulled the IDF to the West Bank leaving few at Gaza. It took hours to get troops back.
https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/israel-advances-peak-number-west-bank-settlement-plans-2023-watchdog-2023-07-13/
Steve