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Israeli forces conducted raids and airstrikes in the occupied West Bank on Wednesday, killing at least nine Palestinian militants and surrounding the tense city of Jenin.The Israeli military reported deploying “large forces” into Jenin—an established militant stronghold—as well as into Tulkarem and the Al-Faraa refugee camps in the northern West Bank.
Lieutenant Colonel Nadav Shoshani, a military spokesperson, confirmed that nine militants were killed, including three in Tulkarem and four in Al-Faraa during airstrikes. Additionally, five suspected militants were arrested. Shoshani described the raids as the initial phase of a broader operation.
Hamas reported that ten of its fighters had died in the West Bank clashes, while Palestinian militant groups claimed ongoing exchanges of fire with Israeli troops.
Hamas reported that ten of its fighters had died in the West Bank clashes, while Palestinian militant groups claimed ongoing exchanges of fire with Israeli troops.
Israeli forces have surrounded Jenin, cutting off entry and exit points, blocking access to hospitals, and damaging infrastructure in the camp, according to Jenin Governor Kamal Abu al-Rub. The Palestinian Health Ministry stated that Israeli forces obstructed roads to a hospital and surrounded other medical facilities in Jenin. Shoshani explained that the military aims to prevent militants from seeking refuge in hospitals.
CIA Deputy Director David Cohen described the situation as “complex and combustible,” emphasizing its severity.Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz called for decisive action against what he termed as a terrorist threat, likening the situation to the conflict in Gaza and advocating for measures including temporary evacuations. Katz also accused Iran of supporting militants in the West Bank.Cohen criticized Iran’s actions, suggesting that while it seeks to avoid direct conflict, it is exacerbating regional tensions through proxy support.During Israel’s ongoing conflict with Iran-backed Hamas in Gaza, Israeli forces have frequently conducted West Bank raids. Since the Gaza war began last October, over 640 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli troops and settlers in the West Bank, while Palestinian attacks have resulted in at least 19 Israeli deaths.Hamas has urged West Bank Palestinians to rise against what it views as an expansion of the Gaza conflict, blaming U.S. support for Israel. The militant group also called for the Palestinian Authority's security forces to join the fight.Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas condemned the raids as a “serious escalation” and urged U.S. intervention, cutting short a visit to Saudi Arabia to return to the West Bank.The U.S. State Department condemned what it termed as “extremist settler violence,” emphasizing the need for accountability.
The U.S. also imposed sanctions on Israeli NGO Hashomer Yosh, which had reportedly obstructed the return of Palestinian residents.In response, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office criticized the sanctions, asserting that Israel takes the issue very seriously.The West Bank, along with Gaza and East Jerusalem, was captured by Israel during the 1967 Mideast war. Palestinians seek these territories for a future state. Over 500,000 Jewish settlers now live in the West Bank, while the 3 million Palestinians there are under Israeli military rule with limited Palestinian Authority control.On the Lebanon front, the U.N. Security Council unanimously extended the mandate of the U.N.
peacekeeping force in south Lebanon for another year and called for calm along the Israel-Lebanon border, amid frequent clashes between Hezbollah and Israeli forces.
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