Israel launched raids across the occupied West Bank, killing at least nine Palestinians and sealing off the city of Jenin in response to ongoing conflict triggered by an attack by Hamas in Gaza. Palestinian militant groups engaged in exchanges of fire with the Israeli military, and the governor of Jenin reported that Israeli forces had surrounded the city, blocking access to hospitals and ripping up infrastructure. Israel confirmed operations in Jenin and Tulkarem, with Foreign Minister Israel Katz calling for similar measures in the West Bank to deal with the threat of terrorism.
The Palestinian Health Ministry in the West Bank reported that Israeli forces had blocked roads leading to hospitals and surrounded medical facilities in Jenin. Hamas called on Palestinians in the West Bank to rise up against the raids, blaming the escalation on U.S. support for Israel and denouncing the involvement of Palestinian security forces cooperating with Israel. Over 650 Palestinians have been killed in the West Bank during the ongoing conflict with Israeli forces, with most casualties occurring during raids that often lead to gun battles with militants.
Israel has captured the West Bank, Gaza, and east Jerusalem in the 1967 Mideast war, leading to Palestinian aspirations for a future state. The West Bank is home to over 500,000 Jewish settlers living in scores of Israeli settlements, while the 3 million Palestinians in the territory live under Israeli military rule, with the Palestinian Authority having limited control over population centers. The war in Gaza began in October when Hamas militants attacked southern Israel, resulting in significant casualties and abductions, prompting an Israeli offensive that has caused widespread destruction and displacement in Gaza.
Israeli strikes in Gaza have killed at least 16 people, including women and children, with most of the attacks targeting the city of Khan Younis. Efforts to negotiate a cease-fire and secure the release of remaining hostages have faced challenges, with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu seeking “total victory” over Hamas while the militant group demands a lasting cease-fire and Israeli withdrawal from the territory. Mediation efforts by the United States, Qatar, and Egypt have yet to yield a breakthrough, with talks now moving to Qatar following sessions in Egypt.
The scale of destruction and casualties in Gaza has been significant, with over 40,000 Palestinians killed according to Gaza’s Health Ministry. The United States, Qatar, and Egypt have been working to broker a cease-fire, but the situation remains tense as Israeli forces continue operations in Gaza and the West Bank, while Hamas calls for resistance against Israeli actions. The conflict underscores the deep-rooted tensions and complex territorial issues between Israel and the Palestinians, with no immediate resolution in sight as both sides remain entrenched in their positions.
