Israeli reservists called up amid rising Palestinian tensions

The Israel military's new chief of staff, Lieutenant General Gadi Eisenkot called up 13,000 reservists to prepare for "surprise" military exercises on Sunday.

Sources say that the drills included training for large-scale unrest and a collapse of security coordination with the Palestinian Authority (PA).

Many believe that this could be to prepare Israeli soldiers for a potential uprising in the occupied Palestinian territories.  

Around 3,000 reservists took part in the military exercises, which took place in the West Bank.

The two-day excercise saw reservists training alongside the airforce, infantry, combat engineers, armoured divisions and intelligence units.

Today, Israeli security bodies warned of potential unrest in the Palestinian territories, and possibly a third intifada if a right-wing government is re-elected in the Israeli elections slated for 17 March.

Relations between Tel Aviv and Ramallah have also reached an impasse following Israel's decision three months ago to withhold tax revenues worth $175 million a month, which have been collected on behalf of the PA.

Israel has frozen the money in retaliation for the PA's application to join the International Criminal Court (ICC).

Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu appears unlikely to relent, seeing that political opponents would be quick to accuse the Likud leader of weakness if he hands over the money.

Amos Harel, a military analyst with the Haaretz newspaper, said the crucial point will be a PLO Central Council meeting next Wednesday, where Palestinian officials will review security coordination with Tel Aviv.

Harel said the council is likely to endorse a proposal by the PA's president, Mahmoud Abbas, to sever security ties with Israel unless it hands over the tax revenues.

Israeli intelligence believe that Abbas will not want to embroil the Palestinians in a new war with Israel.

Palestinian officials have warned that if its is unable to pay civil service then the PA's authority in the West Bank could collapse - leaving a calamitous security situation that could impact on Israel.

Harel said that the PA might still attempt to cool tensions by keeping security channels open in return for financial aid to pay the salaries of public sector staff. Many teachers, police officers and nurses have not been paid for the past three months.

Harel stated that Israeli intelligence believe that Abbas will not want to embroil the Palestinians in a new war with Israel.

Palestinian activists have boycotted Israeli products in the West Bank in protest at Israel's freezing of tax revenues - particularly after the efforts he made to subdue tensions in the West Bank during Israel's assault on Gaza last year that left 2,200 Palestinians dead.

However, Israel remains on its guard for any eventuality, particularly after military intelligence warned that the West Bank could explode into violence.

This violence could be sparked by Israeli intrusion into Palestinian holy sites such as al-Aqsa mosque, or the murder of a civilian or prisoner.

Militants from al-Quds Brigade have taken part in publicised military training in south Gaza, including excercises in tunnels.

This article is an edited translation from our Arabic edition.