In the latest escalation of violence, Israeli forces have continued their raids in the West Bank for a second day, resulting in the deaths of five more Palestinians. The United Nations has issued a call for de-escalation, urging Israel to halt its military operations.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) reported that the five individuals were killed during an operation in Tulkarm, where they were said to be hiding inside a mosque near the city’s boundary. The IDF identified one of the deceased as Mohammed Jaber, also known as Abu Shujaa, a local leader of the Tulkarm Brigade affiliated with the Palestinian Islamic Jihad. The IDF claimed Jaber was involved in planning attacks against Israelis.
The Israeli military’s operation began on Wednesday and has seen conflicting reports about the death toll. While the IDF initially reported the deaths of nine militants across Jenin, Tulkarm, and the al-Faraa refugee camp, the Palestinian health ministry updated the figure to 12 fatalities from the IDF’s actions.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has called for an immediate cessation of the operation, stating it is exacerbating an already volatile situation. He urged Israeli forces to “exercise maximum restraint” and use lethal force only when absolutely necessary.
In Jenin, military jeeps are stationed around the government hospital, and access to the area is heavily restricted, with communications down and sporadic reports of explosions and gunfire. Residents and medics are struggling to assess the situation as Israeli forces maintain a tight grip on the area.
Israeli media suggest the operation could extend for several days. The IDF has claimed to have made arrests and seized weapons, with reports of damage to homes and infrastructure. This operation is noted as the largest of its kind in the West Bank since the second intifada two decades ago.
Israeli Ambassador to the UN, Danny Danon, stated that the operation aims to prevent “Iranian terror-by-proxy” from harming Israeli civilians. Recent Israeli accusations point to Iran’s support for Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad, with claims of smuggling attempts to attack Israel.
The violence in the West Bank has surged following Hamas’s attack on Israel on October 7 and the subsequent conflict in Gaza. EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell has expressed concern that the West Bank operation should not escalate into a broader conflict, and is considering sanctions against certain Israeli ministers over their inflammatory rhetoric and proposals that contravene international law.
