In a statement, Israel's military announced a substantial counter-terrorism operation in the West Bank, specifically focusing on Jenin and Tulkarem. Minister of Foreign Affairs Katz accused Iran of attempting to establish a "terrorist outpost" in the West Bank, acting as a base for Hezbollah militants who've been launching daily rocket attacks against Israel.
Katz maintained that Israel must address this threat with the same commitment as dismantling terrorist infrastructure in Gaza. Interestingly, he mentioned that "high-tech weapons" are being unlawfully smuggled into the West Bank from Jordan.
Israeli military operations in the West Bank, under Israeli control since 1967, are not an uncommon occurrence. These operations usually involve targeting refugee camps and villages from the air, with the most recent incidents occurring in the northern part of the territory. However, simultaneous operations in multiple cities at once are relatively rare, as in this case, overnight into Wednesday.
The Palestinian Red Crescent reported ten fatalities from Israeli operations, including two deaths in Jenin, four in a nearby village, and four in a refugee camp near Tubas. In addition, ten injuries have been reported.
The West Bank has seen a decline in stability since the conflict began between Israel and the Islamist Palestinian organization Hamas in Gaza Strip. According to AFP, at least 650 Palestinians and 19 Israelis have been killed in the West Bank due to Israeli military operations or extremist settler attacks since Hamas assaulted Israel on October 7.
Islamic Jihad, an organization closely tied to Hamas and rooted in the refugee camps in the northern West Bank, accused Israel of declaring an "open war." They claim that the Israeli attacks aim to shift the focus of the conflict to the occupied West Bank and further destabilize the region.
In recent years, Israel's military operations in the West Bank have seen a significant escalation, particularly following the Hamas attack on southern Israel in 2023. Iran has been accused of arming and funding Palestinian militant groups, including Hamas and the Islamic Jihad, in an attempt to eliminate Israel. The emergence of new militias, such as the Lion's Den in Nablus, has further complicated the situation.
Criticism and accusations against Israel have been plentiful, with Palestinian organizations accusing Israel of using excessive force and targeting civilians. The humanitarian crisis in the region is escalating, with dozens of new Palestinian armed groups reemerging since late 2022. These groups have engaged in armed clashes with the IDF and have used explosives to target Israeli troops, leading to a surge in violence.
