Escalation in the West Bank: Israeli Raids Intensify
Palestinians On Wednesday, the Israeli military launched a series of raids across the occupied West Bank, resulting in the deaths of at least nine Palistinan and the complete lockdown of the city of Jenin, according to Palestinian sources. These raids are part of a broader pattern of near-daily operations initiated by Israel since the escalation of conflict triggered by Hamas’ attack from Gaza on October 7.
Palestinian militant factions reported clashes with Israeli forces during these operations. The governor of Jenin, Kamal Abu al-Rub, described on Palestinian radio how Israeli forces had encircled the city, obstructing all entry and exit points and disrupting access to essential services like hospitals. The Palestinian Health Ministry in the West Bank confirmed that Israeli troops had erected dirt barriers blocking access to a hospital and had surrounded additional medical facilities in Jenin.
The Israeli military confirmed their operations in Jenin and Tulkarem but refrained from providing specific details regarding the incidents.
In a stark reflection of the ongoing conflict, Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz suggested that the measures being employed in Gaza should be replicated in the West Bank. Katz called for a strategy akin to the one used in Gaza, including the temporary evacuation of Palestinian residents and other steps deemed necessary. He asserted on the social media platform X that this approach was essential for achieving a decisive victory in what he described as a comprehensive war effort.
Hamas, the militant group based in Gaza, urged Palestinian in the West Bank to rise against the Israeli actions, characterizing the raids as part of a broader plan to extend the war beyond Gaza. They also accused the escalation of being fueled by U.S. support for Israel. The group called on security forces loyal to the Palestinian Authority, which has cooperated with Israel, to join what they termed as the “sacred battle” of the Palestinian people
Palestinians officials say Israeli raids across the occupied
The Palestinian Health Ministry reported that the recent raids had resulted in casualties, with seven bodies being taken to the hospital in Tubas and two others to the facility in Jenin. Among the deceased identified in Jenin were Qassam Jabarin, 25, and Asem Balout, 39.
The West Bank, along with Gaza and East Jerusalem, was captured by Israel during the 1967 Middle East War. The Palestinian’s seek all three territories for a future independent state. However, Israeli settlements have expanded significantly across the West Bank, with over 500,000 Jewish settlers residing there. While these settlers hold Israeli citizenship, the 3 million Palestinian’s in the West Bank live under Israeli military administration, with the Palestinian Authority exerting limited authority over specific areas.
The current conflict between Israel and Hamas began on October 7, when militants from Hamas launched a large-scale assault on southern Israel, targeting military bases and civilian areas. This attack resulted in approximately 1,200 deaths, predominantly civilians, and the abduction of around 250 individuals. Many of these hostages remain in captivity, with about a third believed to be deceased following a cease-fire agreement in November that saw the release of most hostages.
In retaliation, Israel has conducted extensive military operations in Gaza, leading to the deaths of over 40,000 Palestinian, as reported by Gaza’s Health Ministry. The Ministry has not specified the number of militants among the casualties. The intense Israeli bombardment and ground operations have caused widespread destruction and displacement, with approximately 90% of Gaza’s population being displaced at least once.
Recent Israeli airstrikes in Gaza, particularly targeting the southern city of Khan Younis, resulted in the deaths of at least 16 people, including five women and three children. This heavy bombardment has been ongoing for the past two months, causing significant casualties and damage. Reports from hospitals in the region confirm these figures.
Efforts by the United States, Qatar, and Egypt to mediate a cease-fire have so far yielded limited progress. Negotiations have repeatedly stalled, with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu insisting on a “total victory” over Hamas. Meanwhile, Hamas has demanded a durable cease-fire and a complete withdrawal of Israeli forces from the territory.
With talks recently shifting to Qatar after extended discussions in Egypt, there is no clear indication of an imminent breakthrough in resolving the conflict. The ongoing violence and diplomatic stalemates reflect the profound and enduring complexities of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, with significant implications for both regional stability and international diplomacy.
Hundreds of IDF soldiers conduct largest W. Bank counterterror operation in several months
The IDF was conducted the most extensive of the counterterror operation in the West Bank in many more months, the military reported on the Wednesday morning.
The operation took a place in Jenin and Tulkarem and was conducted in a retaliation to the attempted suicide bombing attack in Tel Aviv on August 18. The operation involved inn hundreds of IDF troops with the extensive coordinated air support.
What is Outbrain :The IDF, in the collaboration with Shin Bet, entered into Jenin accompanied by the armed helicopters and drones.
A spokesman for the Red Crescent confirmed to that 10 Palestinian’s had been killed throughout the operation and 15 others are wounded.
The IDF’s operations in the Al-Far’a refugee camp in Tubas resulted in additional casualties, with two more militants being killed. IDF bulldozers have begun demolishing to the infrastructure in Tulkarm due to the concerns that Hamas operatives have planted explosive devices there.
IDF soldiers reportedly by the operated at Ibn Sinai Hospital and in the Farah camp in the Jordan Valley.
Earlierly in Tulkarm, the IDF Was killed five in a drone strike on a terror operations room in the Nur al-Shams refugee camp on Monday.
The IDF confirmed that one of those are killed was a terrorist released in the latest hostage deal in the November 2023.
Throughout a 14-hour operation in Tulkarm in late August, three terrorists were killed by the Israeli air force, and the IDF destroyed laboratories producing explosives.