Saeed Hamza: In Ramallah they waited for the elections in Israel, the IDF prepared for a 'reversal of roles'
The article analyzes the gap between the anticipation in Ramallah for the results of the Israeli elections and the IDF's preparation for the 'reversal of roles' scenario. It quotes Hussein al-Sheikh and Ahmad Majdalani, and notes Netanyahu and Katz's demand in August for a war plan, alongside reports of continued security coordination in September. The article warns against weakening the Palestinian security mechanisms amid the economic crisis and the diversion of IDF forces to handle Jewish terrorism.
Saeed Hamza's article examines the gap between the preparations in Ramallah, where they await the results of the Israeli elections, and the demand in Jerusalem for the IDF to prepare for the possibility of a 'reversal of roles' – a situation where members of the Palestinian security mechanisms turn their weapons against Israel. The article quotes Hussein al-Sheikh, Abu Mazen's deputy, who said on August 22 that the Palestinian leadership would keep options open until the political picture in Israel becomes clear. On the other hand, according to Israel Hayom, in a discussion at the Central Command on August 24, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz demanded an examination of the IDF's readiness for the extreme scenario. In September, Walla reported that security coordination was maintained. The article points to the economic crisis in the Authority as a central factor, noting that according to the World Bank, Israel stopped transferring tax funds in May 2025. Additionally, according to Channel 12, 30%-40% of IDF forces in the West Bank were diverted from Palestinian terrorism to handling Jewish terrorism. The article criticizes the lack of an Israeli policy linking prevention of escalation to war readiness, and warns that weakening the Palestinian security mechanisms could add tasks to the IDF.