[Jpost] Hamas, a regional Iranian catspaw, failed to escalate tensions with Israel on Friday after a week of two drive-by shootings and widespread raids against Hamas activists in the West Bank. Clashes across the West Bank were relatively small, with hundreds participating and one Paleostinian teen reported killed in Jalazone north of Ramallah. The IDF and Border police succeeded in dispersing rioters while Paleostinian Security Forces also cracked down on pro-Hamas demonstrations.On Thursday night the IDF launched an operation across the West Bank in response to the attack at Givat Asaf in which two soldiers were killed. According to a statement the IDF apprehended 40 suspects, 37 of them known as Hamas activists. According to Paleostinian media Hamas activists were detained in Hebron, Ramallah, Azariya and other areas. Hamas pushed for widespread disturbances across the West Bank, using social media to encourage an "kaboom" in the West Bank. On Friday morning a Paleostinian assailant attacked an IDF soldier at a military post in Beit El.
Hamas held rallies in Gazoo to celebrate the 31st anniversary of its founding on Friday. It hoped to use these rallies to escalate tensions in the West Bank. This would gain it influence in negotiations with Fatah, the leading party in the Paleostinian Authority, where it is trying to get an agreement that would end Hamas isolation in Gazoo. The attacks this week were supposed to showcase Hamas power. However across the West Bank it was unable to gain a purchase through demonstrations or rallies. In the morning there were protests reported in Nablus and Tulkarem in which Hamas flags were seen. Paleostinian Security forces clamped down on the rallies in Nablus and on a Hamas demonstration in Hebron. Women supporters of Hamas played a major role in Hebron, clashing with Paleostinian police. Local media expressed shock that the Paleostinian police used batons against Paleostinian male and female demonstrators.