Israeli military forces launched a large-scale counter-terrorism operation on Tuesday night in the occupied West Bank, which continued into Wednesday, killing at least 10 Hamas militants, arresting several individuals, and locking down the volatile city of Jenin.
This operation is reported to be one of the largest military actions in the West Bank in recent months. Israel stated that they are targeting radical elements in the West Bank to prevent attacks, while Palestinians fear Israel’s intentions to escalate the conflict and potentially push them out of the region.
Israeli military spokesperson Colonel Nadav Shoshani stated that a “large force” entered Jenin, a long-time stronghold for militants, as well as the Tulkarem and Al-Faraa refugee camps, all located in the northern part of the West Bank.
The Israeli military reported that the 10 individuals killed were all radical militants, labeling these attacks as the first phase of a larger-scale operation.
Hamas also declared on Wednesday that Israel had killed 10 armed members of the organization in the West Bank.
Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz likened Gaza and the West Bank, calling for similar measures to be taken in the West Bank. He wrote on the X social media platform: “We must address this threat as we address the terrorism infrastructure in Gaza, including temporary displacement of Palestinian residents and taking any necessary measures. This is a war in all aspects, and we must win this war.”
Shoshani clarified that Israel does not intend to evacuate civilians in the West Bank.
Spokesperson for Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, Nabil Abu Rudeineh, condemned the attacks as a “serious escalation” of the tense situation and called for U.S. intervention. Abbas announced he would shorten his visit to Saudi Arabia and return to the West Bank.
Israel claimed that these actions are necessary to dismantle Hamas and other radical organizations. Attacks against Israelis have increased since the start of the Gaza conflict.
Israel occupied the West Bank in the 1967 Middle East War, later establishing dozens of settlements where over 500,000 Jewish settlers reside. These settlers hold Israeli citizenship, while the 3 million Palestinians in the West Bank live under Israeli military control, with limited authority exercised by the Palestinian Authority over population centers.