PNA expects Israeli military action in Gaza, West Bank

A Palestinian official warned on Tuesday of a large-scale Israeli military operation in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank. The operation in Gaza would try to stop rocket attacks from the Hamas-controlled territory, and it is likely to expand to the West Bank to punish the Palestinian National Authority (PNA) for seeking a full membership at the United Nations, said the PNA official, who spoke on condition of anonymity. The official added that the PNA got information about a possible Israeli military operation, especially as cross-border violence between Israel and Gaza factions has been high for three days. The possibility of a military operation was boosted after the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization ( UNESCO) admitted the PNA as a full member Monday despite U.S. threats to cut funding to the UNESCO. The PNA is making intensive contacts with Egypt and other Arab and Western sides to prevent any Israeli measure that may affect the general Palestinian situation, the official said.