Hamas emerges as true ‘voice of the street’ in Israel attacks on West Bank

Muhammad Amin

Israeli’s biggest assault against the West Bank since the 2002 Second Intifada in pursuit of Hamas is the strongest confirmation yet of just how deep and widespread support for the resistance grouping runs among Palestinians.
In the absence of polling groups like Gallup operating anywhere in the Occupied Territories, it’s probably the most accurate measure of the Palestinian street, and it shows Hamas would probably sweep the boards if an election were held today.
Hussam Badran, a political bureau member, says the depth of support also means Hamas has a rich and deep recruitment capacity among West Bank residents who have suffered almost daily atrocities at the hands of Israel’s settlers and military since October 7.
It’s this support that Israel is targeting with its latest incursion, Badran says.
At least 20 people have been killed since Wednesday. Israel claims “nearly all” were Hamas fighters.
Israel Thursday killed Hamas leader Wassem Hazem and two other Hamas fighters in a drone attack outside Jenin as he tried to shake off pursuing special forces soldiers following a massive gunfight inside the refugee camp.
The resistance group intends capitalising on its support to mobilise a response to Israel’s latest military incursion that started in the dark hours of Wednesday morning.
Badran warned the West Bank and Al-Quds were the next targets after Gaza flashing on Israel’s radar, but Hamas was developing a strategy, Operation Terror of the Camps, to respond to the latest attack.
The invasion is targeting refugee camps – Jenin camp in the city of the same name, Al-Far’a in Tubas and Nur Shams in Tulkarm.
They’ve also made detours into other settlements – Nablus and the nearby Balata refugee camp, Anabta town east of Tulkarem, Husan village west of Bethlehem, and areas in the Hebron governorate, Al Jazeera reports.
Badran dismissed the “talks” happening in Doha and Cairo recently as an empty distraction. They’ve only seen American and Israeli representatives in attendance; the other side of the table has remained stubbornly empty.
He said the US was trying to establish an “illusion of an impending agreement” to try and head off a build-up in resistance determination.
All that was needed to reach a real ceasefire was for the US to force Israel to honour agreements that have been on the table since June, Badran said.