Israeli Military Escalates West Bank Operations, Resulting in At Least 10 Palestinian Deaths”

Israeli media has reported a significant military presence in the northern West Bank cities of Jenin, Tulkarm, Tubas, and Nablus, where hundreds of Israeli forces are engaged in operations. The Palestinian health ministry confirmed that at least nine individuals were killed, with bodies arriving at hospitals in Tubas and Jenin. The Palestinian Red Crescent initially reported a higher death toll but revised it down to 10, mentioning casualties from drone strikes in Misilya and al-Faraa refugee camp.

In Jenin, a hotspot for conflict, Israeli troops have sealed off most city entrances, setting up checkpoints and surrounding key medical facilities like the Jenin government hospital and Ibn Sina hospital. This has led to a tense situation where patients are being checked by IDF before leaving hospitals, amidst fears of potential storming of these facilities, which could endanger numerous patients and staff.

The operations have seen the use of armored bulldozers in Jenin refugee camp, known for its armed groups, where infrastructure has been destroyed, and access points blocked. Residents report hearing explosions and drone activity but note a current absence of direct confrontations with armed fighters.

The IDF, along with Shin Bet and Israel Border Police, stated that several armed terrorists were neutralized in aerial strikes, weapons were confiscated, and explosives under roads were dismantled. This response comes as part of efforts to counter security threats in the region.

Hamas acknowledged the loss of fighters in Jenin, indicating ongoing resistance activities against the Israeli operations. The situation remains volatile, with significant military and civilian impacts reported across these West Bank cities.

In a dramatic escalation of violence, Israeli forces conducted a significant military operation in the al-Faraa refugee camp near Tubas, resulting in casualties and widespread destruction. According to reports from the ground, an aircraft strike targeted and killed four armed individuals described as terrorists by the IDF, amidst a broader operation where ground forces also engaged, leading to the confiscation of weapons.

Masoud Naaja, a local resident, recounted a harrowing experience where an airstrike occurred near his home, claiming the lives of two of his adult sons. “In seconds, very fast, we felt like something came down on us from the sky and there was an explosion,” Naaja told Reuters, describing the moment of the strike. He was injured himself, with shrapnel and blood covering his chest, and discovered the tragic fate of his sons shortly after.

The operation’s intensity was further highlighted by a woman from Tubas, who spoke to the BBC about the increasing military presence, including vehicles and bulldozers, entering the camp. “We are all on edge and waiting to see if there will be any escalation,” she expressed, reflecting the community’s heightened anxiety.

Lt. Col. Nadav Shoshani, an IDF spokesman, confirmed the operation’s focus was on “a mixture of terror groups and terror cells,” but did not specify the duration or the scale of troops involved. This operation marks a significant military engagement in the region, drawing attention to the ongoing conflicts and the human cost involved.