Violence in Jerusalem and the West Bank has surged to levels not seen in more than a decade. Here are the forces driving it.
Not every attack can be tied to another, but here's what may be driving this surge in violence.A series of fatal attacks by Palestinians on Israelis last year prompted a sweeping Israeli military campaign dubbed Operation Breakwater, beginning March 31. Since then, nearly every day, Israel has conducted raids in the Israeli-occupied West Bank to arrest suspected militants and round up weapons. Nearly every week, Palestinians have been killed.
It has resulted in the highest cumulative death toll in the West Bank since 2004. Nearly 150 Palestinians were killed by Israeli troops last year, according to Israeli human rights group B'Tselem. That includes gunmen but also uninvolved civilians and young Palestinians who were throwing stones at troops. It also includes Palestinian American journalist Shireen Abu Akleh, also killed in the Jenin refugee camp.
Members of Zaka Rescue and Recovery team check victims of a shooting attack that killed seven people and wounded three near a synagogue in Jerusalem on Friday.Members of Zaka Rescue and Recovery team check victims of a shooting attack that killed seven people and wounded three near a synagogue in Jerusalem on Friday.Palestinian leaders want to establish an independent state in the West Bank. But Israel has occupied the West Bank for nearly 56 years and continues to deepen its grip on it.
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