In this podcast, INSS researcher Adi Kantor sits down with Prof. Kobi Michael, a senior researcher at INSS who served as the Deputy Director General and Head of the Palestinian Desk at the Ministry for Strategic Affairs. Together they discuss the alarming rise in violence in the West Bank. What are the principal reasons for the current escalation – and why now? What are the main new developments on the ground regarding terror activity? Are we witnessing a qualitative change regarding capabilities? What is the “Hamas strategy” with regard to the events? What is the role of Iran and Hezbollah? In addition, who are the extremists among the Jewish settlement population who are behind the increasing violent attacks against the Palestinian population? How do they gain access to ammunition? Who supports them? What can the IDF do to prevent further escalation of violence from both sides, when in the background some in the Israeli government are calling for even more radical moves?