A large-scale Israeli military operation in the northern West Bank has resulted in the deaths of at least nine Palestinians, according to sources from both Palestinian and Israeli authorities. The operation targeted the cities of Jenin, Tubas, and Tulkarm, along with their surrounding refugee camps, leading to significant infrastructure damage and an ongoing siege.
The extensive operation, which began early Wednesday, involved military vehicles, bulldozers, helicopters, and drones. Sources report that Israeli forces have imposed a blockade on the affected cities, intensifying the impact on local communities.
The Palestinian Red Crescent Society (PRCS) reported that three young men were killed in an Israeli drone strike on a vehicle in southern Jenin. Additionally, during an overnight raid in Jenin, Israeli forces clashed with locals, resulting in the deaths of two young men identified as Qassam Jabarin, 25, and Asem Dabaya, 39, according to the Palestinian Health Ministry.
In the Far’a refugee camp south of Tubas, a drone attack killed four young men—Morad, 13, Mohammed Ja’aysa, 17, Ibrahim Ghanimi, 22, and Ahmed Nabrisi, 23—according to the PRCS.
The situation in Tulkarm saw Israeli forces deploying infantry and snipers around the Nour Shams camp amid heavy aerial activity. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and other Israeli security agencies stated that they conducted the operation for “counterterrorism” purposes. They reported killing five “armed terrorists” in Jenin and Tulkarm and four in the Far’a camp.
Palestinian-Israeli Conflict
Israeli media have described the operation as the largest of its kind since 2002. This escalation is part of a broader pattern of frequent raids in the West Bank, which have been ongoing since the outbreak of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict on October 7, 2023. The Palestinian Health Ministry reports that Israeli attacks have killed over 660 Palestinians across the West Bank since the conflict began.
The recent military actions have drawn international condemnation. Arab League Secretary-General Ahmed Aboul-Gheit criticized the raids, describing them as a severe escalation that threatens regional stability. He accused Israel of pursuing an extreme right-wing agenda aimed at undermining Palestinian sovereignty and furthering territorial annexation.
Aboul-Gheit also condemned the US for not exerting sufficient pressure on Israel and urged a more decisive stance to address the growing Israeli aggression. He characterized the Israeli operations as part of a broader strategy to make Palestinian life untenable and advance plans for displacement.
The ongoing violence continues to fuel tensions in the region, as efforts for a ceasefire and peace negotiations remain challenging.
