Israeli forces launched a large operation in the occupied West Bank overnight and into Wednesday, killing at least 10 Hamas militants, carrying out arrests, and sealing off the volatile city of Jenin. The ongoing operation is one of the largest in the West Bank in months and highlights the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict beyond the war in Gaza. Israel claims it is rooting out West Bank militants to prevent attacks, while Palestinians fear an expansion of the conflict and potential expulsion from territories they desire for a future state.
Lt. Col. Nadav Shoshani, an Israeli military spokesman, stated that “large forces” entered Jenin, Tulkarem, and the Al-Faraa refugee camp, killing three militants in Tulkarem and four in Al-Faraa. Five suspected militants were arrested, marking the first stage of a larger operation. The raids resulted in four Palestinians being killed by Israeli fire in Jenin. Hamas reported that 10 of its fighters were killed in the West Bank on Wednesday. The situation escalated as Israeli forces surrounded the city of Jenin, blocking access to hospitals and ripping up infrastructure in the camp.
The Palestinian Health Ministry in the West Bank reported that Israeli forces had blocked roads leading to hospitals and surrounded medical facilities in Jenin. Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz called for similar measures in the West Bank, likening the situation to Gaza and emphasizing the need to win the war against terrorism. However, Hamas accused the raids of being part of a plan to expand the war in Gaza and urged Palestinians to rise up. Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas condemned the raids and called for U.S. intervention, prompting his return to the West Bank from Saudi Arabia.
The conflict between Israel and Hamas in the West Bank and Gaza has resulted in a significant number of casualties, with over 652 Palestinians killed by Israeli fire in the West Bank during the 10-month war in Gaza. Attacks on Israelis have increased, leading to the need for continued operations to dismantle militant groups like Hamas. The situation in the West Bank is volatile, with predictions of future operations due to Hamas using the region as a base for attacks with Iranian support and in the absence of a clear strategy to defeat the group in both Gaza and the West Bank.
In the Gaza Strip, the war between Hamas-led militants and Israeli forces has caused widespread destruction and displacement, with over 40,000 Palestinians killed, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry. The conflict has left many civilians dead and displaced, with continued Israeli strikes resulting in casualties, including women and children. Efforts to reach a cease-fire through mediation by the U.S., Qatar, and Egypt have been ongoing, with talks repeatedly stalling as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu seeks total victory over Hamas. Despite ongoing negotiations, there has been no significant breakthrough in reaching a lasting cease-fire.
The situation remains tense in both the West Bank and Gaza, with Israeli forces conducting operations to target militants, while Hamas continues to organize attacks using smuggled weapons from Iran. The conflict extends beyond the war in Gaza, with the Israeli-Palestinian conflict rooted in decades of territorial disputes and opposing national aspirations. The future remains uncertain as both sides seek to achieve their goals amidst ongoing violence and tensions. The international community continues to play a role in mediating a solution to the conflict, but a lasting peace agreement remains elusive amid the ongoing violence and animosity between the two sides.
