GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip — Israel has approved the transfer of 10 US-made light armored military vehicles from Jordan to the Palestinian security services on the West Bank. Green-lighted on May 21, the move follows warnings by Israeli security forces to Israeli politicians in April and May of the pending economic collapse of the Palestinian Authority (PA) and the deterioration of security coordination between Israel and the PA due to the worsening financial situation on the West Bank. Both the PA and Israel are worried that Palestinians might take to the streets in protest over the current status quo and at a time when the Palestinian security services lack military vehicles and equipment to adequately respond to potential turmoil.

The simmering financial and economic crisis stems from decreasing foreign grants and the cessation of US aid to the Palestinians under the Donald Trump administration. In addition, the PA has been refusing to accept taxes collected on its behalf by Israel since Feb. 19, after Israel unilaterally decided to deduct a portion equivalent to funds earmarked for Palestinian prisoners accused of terrorism and the families of those killed while involved in activities against the occupation. The amount for 2018 totaled 502 million shekels ($138 million).

Israel fears that in the coming months, the PA will be unable to meet its financial obligations and that this could lead it to slash employees' salaries by up to 30%. Such a situation could subsequently ignite the West Bank, resulting in confrontations between Palestinians and the Israeli army. Already, in March, the PA slashed salaries, including for security personnel, by half.

A cascading of events would derail the US and Israeli goal of maintaining calm in the Palestinian territories with the hope of furthering the Trump administration's anticipated peace plan. Israel hopes the delivery of the armored vehicles will entice Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas to accept the tax funds Israel holds ready for transfer.