The Israeli army has reinforced its forces in the West Bank in preparation for the Jewish holiday of Sukkot, following the ramming attack at the Maccabim checkpoint on Route 443, amid Israeli fears of new lone-wolf attacks or copycat attacks.
Maariv newspaper said the Israeli occupation army decided to activate the 98th Division headquarters in the West Bank after an assessment of the security situation, with the division set to assume responsibility from Friday for the Etzion and "Judea" sectors (southern West Bank), while the West Bank Division headquarters continues to command the other four sectors.
The newspaper added that the decision is not based on a specific intelligence warning about an imminent attack, but rather on the need to strengthen control and command in a vast and complex area, coinciding with the expected arrival of hundreds of thousands of Israelis to the West Bank during the holiday.
A young Palestinian from the town of Beit Ur al-Tahta had driven his car toward an Israeli occupation police patrol, ramming and seriously wounding a soldier, before forces opened fire on him, causing his death, according to the Israeli account.
Maariv noted that Israeli occupation security agencies assess that the attack was carried out by an individual acting alone, without a specific prior intelligence warning, which the security establishment considers a particular challenge, fearing that videos of previous attacks could motivate other perpetrators to imitate them.
The newspaper quoted an Israeli military source as saying that forces are working to strengthen protection on roads and checkpoints, alongside continued arrests and military operations against cells and structures that Israel says are linked to carrying out attacks.
According to the report, 23 battalions are operating in the West Bank during the holiday period, while the addition of the 98th Division headquarters aims to improve troop management and enhance command and control, coinciding with increased operational activity.
The Israeli occupation security establishment says the coming period will see sensitive conditions, including the Jewish holidays, the olive harvest season, and tension related to the Palestinian elections, in addition to increased Israeli movement on roads and in settlements, and the arrival of large numbers of visitors to the West Bank.
Maariv added that Israeli occupation security agencies are also monitoring, according to their assessments, attempts by parties outside the West Bank, including Hamas in Gaza and entities operating from abroad and Turkey, to fund, direct and encourage the carrying out of attacks in the West Bank.
The Israeli occupation army confirmed, according to the report, that there is no change in the instructions directed at the Israeli public, and no intention to cancel Sukkot events, but it is preparing for the possibility of new attacks, while reinforcing military deployment and security operations in the area.
