Khaled Abu Toameh

There are several reasons why Haniyeh's death did not lead to massive protests in the West Bank.

Hamas leaders have every right to be disappointed with West Bank Palestinians for not demonstrating in large numbers to mourn the death of Ismail Haniyeh, the chairman of the terrorist group’s “political bureau.”

“Where’s the aid? Where’s the diplomatic support? Where’s the military support?” - Palestinians: The Arab World Has Again Betrayed Us

How the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict Turned into a Religious War - The Jihad to Destroy Israel

Armed and funded by Iran, the "battalions," whose members are affiliated with PIJ, Hamas and the ruling Fatah faction headed by Palestinian Authority (PA) President Mahmoud Abbas, began operating in the northern West Bank more than three years ago. "Iran

The armed wing of the Iran-backed Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) announced on Aug. 26 that five of its members had been “martyred while performing their combat duty in the West Bank.”

One of the reasons why the PA is reluctant to crack down on the "battalions" is because its members are aware that they enjoy widespread support among the Palestinian public.

The PA's failure to crack down on the "battalions" means that Iran now has a small army in the West Bank

For Iran and its allies, the conflict does not concern borders, refugees, prisoners, settlements, or checkpoints. It is actually about Israel's continued existence in the Middle East.

The Israeli operation aims to prevent Iran and its Palestinian proxies from opening a new front against Israel from the West Bank.