Intensified Israeli Military Operation in West Bank Amid Ongoing Gaza Conflict....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

Israel continues its large-scale military operation in the occupied West Bank for a fourth consecutive day, as fierce fighting persists in the ongoing Gaza conflict. Clashes and explosions erupted in the northern city of Jenin, where the Israeli military reported the killing of two Palestinians who were allegedly preparing to carry out bombings in the southern West Bank.

The Palestinian militant group Hamas, which launched an attack on Israel on October 7, has characterized the situation as a “heroic operation” during a critical time for Israeli forces. Similarly, Islamic Jihad, an ally of Hamas with a strong presence in the northern West Bank, congratulated those involved in what they referred to as a “coordinated attack.”

The Israeli army described an explosion at a petrol station in the Gush Etzion settlement bloc as an “attempted car bombing by a terrorist” who was subsequently killed. An army officer sustained moderate injuries, while a reservist officer responsible for nearby community security suffered minor injuries.

In another incident, the head of security in the Israeli settlement of Karmei Zur chased a “terrorist” who had entered the settlement. This pursuit ended in a collision, resulting in the “neutralization” of the assailant. During the confrontation, an explosive device in the suspect’s vehicle detonated.

Since the onset of the Israeli operation, at least 20 Palestinians have been reported killed, with most identified as militants. The Israeli army has intensified its focus on Jenin and its refugee camps, known for their history of armed resistance against Israel.

On Saturday morning, an AFP photographer in Jenin noted ongoing clashes in the city, where streets remained largely deserted except for armored vehicles blocking access to the government hospital. The hospital’s director, Wisam Bakr, described the situation as the worst since the raid began, with intermittent heavy shelling and clashes. Water and electricity were cut off from the hospital, forcing reliance on generators and water tanks.

The surge in violence in the West Bank follows Hamas’s October 7 attack, which resulted in heightened tensions. According to the United Nations, at least 637 Palestinians have died due to Israeli military actions or settler violence since the start of the Gaza war. Conversely, 19 Israelis, including soldiers, have been killed in Palestinian attacks or during military operations in the same timeframe.

Among the 20 Palestinians reported dead since Wednesday, Hamas and Islamic Jihad claimed that at least 13 were members of their armed factions. The deceased included an 82-year-old man and two teenagers, with a further 55 individuals reported injured.

In Gaza, Israel has continued its military offensive in retaliation for Hamas’s earlier attack. Gaza’s civil defense agency reported that rescuers retrieved 29 bodies from the rubble and transported numerous wounded individuals to hospitals across the devastated territory. Recent strikes in Khan Yunis and the Jabalia refugee camp resulted in several casualties.

International concern regarding the Israeli operations has escalated. Britain, France, and Spain have expressed apprehensions about the violence, with Spain denouncing the situation as “unacceptable.”

The World Health Organization announced that Israel agreed to implement at least three days of “humanitarian pauses” in parts of Gaza, starting Sunday, to facilitate a vaccination campaign following the territory’s first recorded case of polio in 25 years. However, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu clarified that these measures do not equate to a ceasefire.

Hamas’s October 7 attack led to the deaths of 1,199 individuals, primarily civilians, according to an AFP tally based on Israeli official figures. Palestinian militants also took 251 hostages, with 103 still believed to be held in Gaza, including 33 confirmed deceased by the Israeli military.

The retaliatory campaign by Israel has reportedly resulted in over 40,602 deaths in Gaza, predominantly women and children, according to the territory’s health ministry. The ongoing conflict has caused severe devastation in Gaza, displacing most of its 2.4 million residents and triggering a humanitarian crisis. The UN humanitarian office noted a significant increase in denied access for humanitarian missions in August compared to July.