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Israeli Occupation Army Hints at Re-occupying Palestinian Towns

Israeli machineries, guarded by Israeli forces, bulldoze lands near the Palestinian village of Qusra, in the Israeli occupied West Bank (File photo: Reuters)
Israeli machineries, guarded by Israeli forces, bulldoze lands near the Palestinian village of Qusra, in the Israeli occupied West Bank (File photo: Reuters)
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Israeli Occupation Army Hints at Re-occupying Palestinian Towns

Israeli machineries, guarded by Israeli forces, bulldoze lands near the Palestinian village of Qusra, in the Israeli occupied West Bank (File photo: Reuters)
Israeli machineries, guarded by Israeli forces, bulldoze lands near the Palestinian village of Qusra, in the Israeli occupied West Bank (File photo: Reuters)

Israeli occupation army might re-occupy a number of Palestinian cities in the occupied West Bank if it felt that the decision to end coordination might negatively affect the security situation, according to military sources.

On Wednesday, the Palestinian Authority (PA) suspended security coordination with Tel Aviv, in protest of the Israeli decision to annex the Jordan Valley and northern Dead Sea lands, in addition to imposing Israeli law on them.

Initially, Israeli officials did not take the Palestinian decision seriously and expected coordination to remain effective. However, the security services informed their leaders in Tel Aviv that coordination had been halted.

The sources said that the Authority has informed Israel that halting security coordination does not mean its forces will allow chaos in the West Bank.

Israeli army leadership in the West Bank is preparing for a situation of “organized chaos”, saying that in all cases it should be ready for a new situation that requires a new policy, which might include the deployment of occupation forces in the Palestinian cities and resumption of field intelligence activities.

The sources confirmed that since assuming his position as an Alternate Prime Minister and Defense Minister, Benny Gantz has been initiating contacts with the Palestinian officials for several objectives.

Gantz wants to ensure the new situation will not lead to escalation and clashes. He also wants to pave the way for the resumption of peaceful negotiations through understandings between two sides.

Earlier, he announced that his support to the annexation plan, given that it is coordinated with Arab neighbors, including the Palestinians.

However, the far-right parties of the Israeli government rejected Gantz’s position saying ending the security coordination is a malicious scheme by the PA President Mahmoud Abbas, who wants to draw Hamas into a confrontation with Israel in the event that the Gaza crossings were closed.

They said there are several indications of an atmosphere of hostility towards Israel among the Palestinian police and security services.

Last Wednesday, a Palestinian policeman pulled his gun at an Israeli vehicle near Nablus and a Palestinian crossing prevented an Israeli patrol from entering Hebron.

Meanwhile, a number of Palestinian gunmen of various cities of the occupied West Bank shot several celebratory gunfire in support of Abbas’s recent decisions.

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Arab World

Iraqis Urged to Protest Israel as Militias Warn US Against Intervention

Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani attending a meeting for the Coordination Framework (INA)
Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani attending a meeting for the Coordination Framework (INA)
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Iraqis Urged to Protest Israel as Militias Warn US Against Intervention

Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani attending a meeting for the Coordination Framework (INA)
Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani attending a meeting for the Coordination Framework (INA)

Iraq’s public support for Iran in its escalating missile standoff with Israel has triggered concern that the country could be drawn into a wider conflict involving both Washington and Tel Aviv, as threats from powerful armed factions intensify.

 

Major Shi’ite parties within the pro-Iran Coordination Framework – including Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani – ramped up their backing for Tehran by urging nationwide demonstrations in solidarity with Iran, the Iran-aligned Asaib Ahl al-Haq militia warned it may target US interests in Iraq if Washington joins Israel militarily.

 

Framework Condemns Israeli Strikes

 

The Coordination Framework held a late-night emergency meeting on Sunday, attended by Sudani, to discuss the unfolding political and security developments.

 

In a statement seen by Asharq Al-Awsat, the bloc denounced what it called Israel’s "repeated acts of aggression," including recent strikes on Iranian territory that killed a number of commanders and scientists.

 

“The Framework strongly condemns the Zionist entity’s repeated hostile behavior, particularly the latest attacks on Iran,” the statement read. It called on the international community, especially regional states, to take a stand against Israel’s “arrogance” and push for an end to its aggression.

 

The bloc also urged Iraqis to take to the streets in protest and to show support for Iran’s resilience. It reiterated its rejection of Iraqi airspace being used for attacks on neighboring countries but added that Iraq should continue “playing a role in finding a solution and containing the fallout of the crisis triggered by Israel’s ongoing strikes”.

 

Parliament Denies Israeli Attacks Launched from Iraq

 

In a separate development, Iraq’s parliamentary Security and Defense Committee rejected Iranian claims that recent Israeli attacks on Iran were launched from Iraqi territory.

 

“There is no evidence that Israeli airstrikes targeting Iran originated from Iraqi soil,” said committee member Yasser Watout. “We’ve spoken to military leadership, air force officials and aerial surveillance units – all confirm no such activity occurred”.

 

The denial follows remarks by Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi, who alleged that some of the recent attacks were launched from inside Iraq. He urged Baghdad to prevent its territory from being used against neighboring states.

 

Watout said Iraq “did not, and will not, allow its territory to be used for attacking any of its neighbors,” calling the Iranian allegations baseless.

 

Militias Warn of Retaliation

 

The warning from Asaib Ahl al-Haq came a day after Iraq’s Kataib Hezbollah said it would consider entering the fight against Israel if the United States militarily backs Tel Aviv.

 

In a statement on Monday, Asaib spokesman Jawad al-Talibawi said, “We warn the US administration of the consequences of participating alongside its Israeli ally in attacking the Iran”.

 

He pledged renewed allegiance to Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, vowing to “offer our lives in defense of Islam and its people”.

 

Kataib Hezbollah, led by Abu Hussein al-Hamidawi, also threatened to strike US bases across the region if Washington joins the war. In a statement on Sunday night, Hamidawi said Iran does not require military assistance to confront Israel, asserting it has the “men and means” to defeat Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

 

“We are closely monitoring the movements of the American enemy’s forces,” he said. “Should the US intervene, we will directly target its interests and military bases in the region, without hesitation”.

 

He called on the Iraqi government, the Coordination Framework, and what he described as “loyal defenders” to take a firm position to prevent the conflict from spiraling further. Hamidawi also demanded the closure of the US embassy in Baghdad and the expulsion of American forces from Iraq.

 

US Embassy Issues Security Alert

 

Meanwhile, the US embassy in Baghdad issued a security warning to American citizens, citing a heightened risk of violence or attacks against US interests in Iraq. The alert advised citizens to avoid areas frequented by foreigners and to steer clear of large gatherings.

 

The threat of Iraq being pulled into a broader confrontation underscores the region’s volatility as tensions soar between Iran and Israel – and as armed factions within Iraq flex their influence in a bid to shift the country's strategic posture.