Israel's forces have launched one of the most extensive operations in the West Bank in over two decades. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) carried out simultaneous raids and airstrikes in Jenin, Tulkarem, and surrounding areas, resulting in at least nine Palestinian deaths and significant disruption in the region. This operation, described by Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz as a "full-fledged war," marks the largest scale of military activity in the West Bank since the Second Intifada.
The IDF's overnight assault involved extensive ground and aerial operations aimed at dismantling what Israel describes as "terrorist infrastructure" linked to Iranian interests. Katz justified the raids by claiming they were necessary to counteract what he termed as an "Islamic-Iranian terrorist infrastructure," allegedly being established to create an eastern front against Israel. This rationale echoes the military tactics employed in Gaza, where Israel has been actively engaged in conflict since October 7, following a deadly Hamas attack.
Lt. Col. Nadav Shoshani, an IDF spokesperson, outlined the operation's scope during a briefing, emphasizing the systematic nature of the Israeli strategy. "We've identified a systematic strategy in Iran of smuggling weapons and explosives into the West Bank," Shoshani asserted. The IDF has reported over 150 shooting and explosive attacks originating from Jenin and Tulkarem alone over the past year.
The operation has drawn widespread international attention and condemnation. The Palestinian Authority's foreign ministry described the Israeli actions as a "war of genocide" and a violation of international law. "The ongoing destruction and siege imposed on Jenin and surrounding areas are unacceptable," the ministry stated. The health ministry has reported significant impacts on medical facilities, including blockades on hospitals and obstructed ambulance services.
Video footage from the operation shows Israeli bulldozers demolishing infrastructure in Tulkarem and Jenin, alongside aerial bombardments targeting what Israel claims were militant operations. Palestinian health officials have confirmed at least nine fatalities, with ongoing reports of injuries and damage to critical infrastructure.
The IDF's approach has included a comprehensive blockade of Jenin, cutting off access and isolating the city from medical and humanitarian aid. Mahmoud Al-Saadi from the Palestinian Red Crescent Society reported severe difficulties in providing emergency medical services amid the ongoing conflict. "Getting to hospital in Jenin is increasingly difficult due to the military's restrictions," Al-Saadi noted.
Hamas has responded with calls for widespread mobilization against Israeli forces. The militant group condemned the raids as an act of "deliberate destruction" and accused Israel of war crimes. Meanwhile, the Islamic Jihad group claimed to have shot down an Israeli drone, although this assertion has not been independently verified.
The operation coincides with heightened regional tensions, including recent flare-ups along Israel's northern border with Lebanon, where Israeli forces have clashed with Hezbollah militants. These developments have compounded the broader geopolitical instability in the region.
