How do violence and settlements factor into the fight for stability in the West Bank? Here are seven angles to understand the dynamics of this complex Palestinian territory:
1. The international community
A Palestinian state and Jewish settlements in the West Bank have been central issues in global mediation efforts between Israel and Arabs for decades. Negotiations for Arab-Israeli normalization and integration have largely been shaped by the Palestinian question.
The Arab League has maintained its status quo of a two-state solution. The precondition for statehood has been a roadblock for countries like Saudi Arabia wishing to normalize with Israel.
2. The West Bank’s importance to Jews and Palestinians
The term “West Bank” dates back to the British Mandate. For Jews, the West Bank is the ancient biblical land of Judea and Samaria. It is also home to generations of returning diaspora.
The land also holds significance for Palestinian Arabs, who have lived there for hundreds of years. The West Bank has become politically important in the fight for Palestinian statehood.
3. The Iranian Regime’s malign activity
The Islamic Republic of Iran has worked for decades to establish asymmetric proxy militias across the region as an “Axis of Resistance” to spread their revolution and counter Western, Israeli, and Saudi forces.
Even before Israel’s war in Gaza and on the northern front with Hezbollah, the Iranian regime was working for over two years to infiltrate the Palestinian territory.
To provoke further instability between Palestinians and Israel, Iran has been supplying rebel groups like Hamas, the Lion’s Den, and Palestinian Islamic Jihad with weapons and training.
4. How Israelis and Palestinians split security
Following the Oslo Accords of 1995, an agreement between Israel and the Palestinian Authority brokered by the U.S. divided the West Bank into territories A, B, and C. 
~18% of the territory is classified as Area “A,” meaning the Palestinian Authority (PA) administers the security and civil authority. Cities in Area A include Hebron, Bethlehem, Ramallah, Jenin, and Nablus.
These Area A cities have become strongholds for terror activity from groups such as the Lion’s Den, Islamic Jihad, and other Iranian-backed militant groups.
Area B is divided between the PA and Israel. The PA administers civil jurisdiction, while Israel administers security.
Area C, which encompasses 60% of the West Bank, is controlled by Israel. Jewish settlers’ growing presence in Area C has been a faultline for violence between Israelis and Palestinians who live in Area C.
5. Israeli security measures
The West Bank is a significant security concern for Israel. During the First and Second Intifadas (Arabic for uprising) of the late 90s and early 2000s, hundreds of terrorists launched suicide and other attacks against Israelis from the West Bank, killing thousands on both sides.
Since then, and more so now since October 7th and Iran’s malign activity, Israel has taken systematic security measures to prevent terrorist attacks and the build-up of sophisticated weapons in the West Bank.
These include checkpoints, frequent raids, the “Separation Wall,” and more.
6. Hamas’ popularity
A significant factor in Israel’s war calculus and campaigns in the West Bank is the growing concern over Hamas’ popularity.
According to a PCPSR poll, support for Hamas more than tripled in the West Bank following October 7th, while support for President Mahmoud Abbas dropped significantly.
Additionally, more than 60% believed armed resistance was the best means of ending the Israeli occupation of the Palestinian territory.
While a minority of Palestinians reject violent resistance, support for Hamas is a concerning trend that complicates all levels of diplomacy and security.
7. Palestinian Authority security measures
The Palestinian Authority (PA) is central to combatting terror groups in the West Bank. The PA collaborates with Israeli forces to maintain stability and prevent violence through intelligence sharing and joint operations to dismantle extremist infrastructure and foil potential attacks.
It also has its own security forces to conduct operations to arrest suspected extremists, disrupt radical movements, and maintain order in PA-controlled areas.
The PA’s popularity is greatly waning, however, and other Islamist groups threaten the organization’s power, which has pushed them to work closer with Israeli security forces.
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SOURCES:
CNN: Israel launches large-scale West Bank raid as minister calls for Gaza-style operation
NBC News: Israeli army applies ‘lessons’ learned in Gaza as it continues West Bank offensive