Who are the Palestinian prisoners released in exchange for Israeli hostages?
Associated PressFEB 16
Israel Moves to Close Six UNRWA Schools in East Jerusalem
Above: A view of the wreckage of a Palestinian house after the Israeli army demolished it for unknown reasons in Jaba, east of Jerusalem on April 3, 2025. Image copyright: Hisham K. K. Abu Shaqra/Contributor/Anadolu via Getty Images
The Spin
Pro-establishment narrative
Though Israel has a right to respond to terrorist threats, Israeli policy should avoid escalating tensions. After over a year of intense warfare in Gaza, Israel failed to dismantle Hamas, and it is unlikely that a heavy-handed approach will succeed in the West Bank. Indeed, connecting the war in Gaza to operations in the West Bank is largely a political decision.
Pro-Israel narrative
Israeli operations in the West Bank have yielded significant results, namely an astonishing decrease of terrorist attacks on Israeli civilians. Though the media often portrays Israeli operations as punitive, they are defensive in nature, and the dramatic decrease in attacks clearly demonstrates that Israel's goal is to ensure the safety and security of its citizens.
Pro-Palestine narrative
With the genocide in Gaza again in full swing, Israel is continuing its brutal campaign in the occupied West Bank. Given the statements of Israeli leaders, Israel seeks to treat the West Bank like Gaza, destroying civilian infrastructure and ethnically cleansing the population. Israel's genocide is not constrained to Gaza as it works to make all of Palestine uninhabitable.