Israel and the US financial war on Palestine will lead to an Intifada in the West Bank, as Hamas wants
This is the key strategic reason for the 7th Oct military operation as mentioned by Saleh Arouri in early 2023.
On 22 Nov 2023, A MENA Unleashed post called China and the dedollarisation of the Palestinian cause was published in which it was argued the West will launch the most expansive sanctions against Palestinians and their supporters as part of its efforts to back Israel and weaponise the US dominated global financial system against a potneital State of Palestine.
As predicted, the US and Canada began their expansive financial warfare by suspending UNRWA funding citing allegations regarding terrorism financing. However, the announcement came on the same day of the release of the ICJ ruling against Israel with regards to its ongoing genocide in Gaza. Hence, the decision is likely coordinated and politically motivated to penalise the Palestinians for the ICJ blow to Israel. It is expected that more western countries will take financial measures against Palestinians in the near future.
Israel has also expanded its financial war on Palestinians. Since the beginning of the war, over 200 thousand Palestinian workers from the West Bank who work inside Israel have been suspended. As a result, a looming debt crisis is ahead due to the overreliance on consumer debt and shortages in liquidity to repay debt and interest. Israel also continues its practice of withholding the taxes it collects on behalf of the Palestinian Authority hurting the ability of the PA to meet its financial obligations. These financial warfare measures are increasing social tension in the West Bank and resentment towards the PA and delegitimising its political project.
This is going to be the root for an intifada in the West Bank against the PA and Israel. Already, Hamas popularity is growing there at the expense of the PA and Fatah. There is also a precedent for that. In 2000, Israel banned Palestinians from working in Israel causing massive unemployment and social resentment which led to broader active participation in the second Intifada. This is exactly what Hamas wants. In fact, this is the key strategic reason for the 7th Oct military operation as mentioned by Saleh Arouri in early 2023.
If financial war on Palestinians expands as expected, there is a great likelihood that an Intifada in the West Bank will be resurrected in 2024 or 2025. This will be a major victory for Hamas as it aims to mobilise more Palestinians for its struggle against Israel and will help its recruitment efforts.