IOF on High Alert Ahead of Possible Al-Quds Declaration
Local Editor
Following reports that US President Donald Trump may recognize al-Quds [Jerusalem] as the "Israeli" entity's capital or announce a decision to move the American embassy from Tel Aviv to al-Quds, the "Israeli" Occupation Force units are preparing for a possible Palestinian outburst in the entity, primarily in al-Quds.
The US administration has instructed its consulates and embassies in the Middle East to raise their alert level for fear of protests against American institutions.
Police, the "Israeli" entity's security service "Shin Bet" and Central Command officials have been meeting in recent days to evaluate the situation and prepare for a wave of riots and opertations, which could be similar to the attacks that took place following the decision to place metal detectors at the al-Haram al-Sharif in July.
The "Israeli" War establishment officials stress that the Palestinian leadership's harsh comments against the possible American move have yet to cross the line and push the Palestinian street towards acts of violence, but say the line could be crossed in an instant even without the Palestinian Authority's encouragement. The fiery atmosphere in the Palestinian media could spur lone-wolf operations, stabbing operations and other operations by independent cells even before an American announcement.
The Palestinian leadership still hopes that Arab states' pressure on the White House will stop President Trump from making any declarations on al-Quds. Diplomatic sources in Washington confirmed Monday that a decision on the issue had yet to be made, saying that the president's team had prepared a variety of "creative alternatives" for a commitment to move the embassy to al-Quds, although no one knows what the president's final decision will be.
Hamas incited the Palestinian street with all its force Monday as part of the organization's preparations for its 30th anniversary celebrations. Hamas was officially founded on December 14, but "Israeli" security sources say an American announcement that will change the status quo in al-Quds would be seen as a reason to inflame the tensions on the street and turn the celebrations into a series of days of rage and operations.
"Israeli" officials believe Hamas will make an unusual effort to launch a major operations in a bid to deal with its new image in Gaza-as an organization which has taken the diplomatic path, moved closer to Egypt and Saudi Arabia, chosen a moderate policy vis-à-vis "Israel" and given up the armed struggle-after it stopped Islamic Jihad from acting against the "Israeli" entity to avenge the destruction of the organization's border-crossing tunnel.
"Israeli" Security sources believe the Palestinian protest will be reflected both in the activity of institutionalized organizations and in a rise in the activity of lone-wolf operations. The Palestinian establishment is apparently trying to lead the incitement against the expected American move in the religious direction. Any American move that would change the status quo on al-Quds [Jerusalem] would be presented as a move against the al-Aqsa Mosque in al-Quds.
The popular protest against the metal detectors was also led by religious leaders in al-Quds: The grand mufti of al-Quds on behalf of the PA, Sheikh Muhammad Hussein; Sheikh Ekrima Sabri, the Islamic Movement's representative; and Sheikh Omar al-Kiswani, the director of the Al-Aqsa Mosque on behalf of the Waqf.
This trio is leading a large group of different religious clerics and has a greater influence on the Palestinian street than the political leadership. This group, "Israeli" officials believe, will lead any move against the possible American announcements. The PA, however, is still seeking a controlled non-violent response in a bid to prevent a descent into anarchy.
Source: News Agencies, Edited by website team
