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Israel Must Uproot All Ideas of Repeat of Oct. 7 in Judea and Samaria
(Israel Hayom) Meir Ben Shabbat - The recent ramming attack near Nablus that claimed the lives of two IDF soldiers, as well as the shooting incidents and drone flights toward Israeli towns from the Palestinian Authority, continue to be a source of concern. The potential for Palestinian terror has been somewhat restrained due to concerns that, following Oct. 7, there are fears that Israel might unleash its wrath over the horrific massacre on anyone who provokes it. The worsening economic situation of the Palestinians due to the ongoing closure is an additional element. In addition, there is intensive activity by Israeli security forces, leading to thousands of arrests, thwarting numerous attacks, and dismantling parts of the terrorist infrastructure. Against this backdrop, terrorist elements in Judea and Samaria have begun adopting an approach of initiating attacks against communities, apparently inspired by Hamas's Oct. 7 onslaught. This intention must be viewed with utmost seriousness. The basic perception among Israel's enemies is that their ultimate weapon is steadfastness over time. As Secretary-General of Hizbullah Hassan Nasrallah has said, Israel is weary of wars and lacks the resilience and fortitude to withstand a bloody struggle and sustain casualties. Yet after eight months of war, despite internal and external challenges, Israel persists in resolutely striving to achieve all its objectives. The American proposal for a new regional order meets the authentic yearning for an organizing idea, but Israel cannot afford the accompanying price tag. The writer, a former Israeli national security advisor, is chairman of the Misgav Institute for National Security & Zionist Strategy in Jerusalem.