Major Israeli Military Operation in Jenin Leaves 10 Palestinians Dead, Dozens Injured
In a significant escalation in the occupied West Bank, at least 10 Palestinians were killed and nearly 40 wounded during a large-scale Israeli military operation in Jenin, according to the Palestinian health ministry. The assault, which began early Tuesday, saw airstrikes, drones, and heavy armored vehicles deployed in and around the city and its refugee camp.
Israeli Military Launches “Iron Wall” Operation
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described the offensive, dubbed “Iron Wall,” as a decisive step to “defeat terrorism” and enhance security in the region. Jenin, a known stronghold for armed Palestinian factions, has been the focus of recent Israeli security efforts. Netanyahu also accused Iran of arming militant groups in the West Bank, vowing to target its influence across the region.
Israeli forces reported dismantling explosives and targeting “terror infrastructure.” They claimed to have neutralized over ten individuals they identified as terrorists. However, Palestinian sources, including the official Wafa news agency, countered that most of the fatalities were civilians.
Streets Bulldozed, Hospitals Blocked
Local authorities described the operation as a full-scale invasion. Kamal Abu al-Rub, Jenin’s governor, reported that Israeli forces used helicopters and armored bulldozers to destroy roads, cutting off access to Jenin’s Government Hospital. Medical workers reported being caught in the crossfire, with several injured by gunfire. Dr. Wissam Bakr, the hospital director, described how earth mounds erected by bulldozers blocked ambulances from reaching the hospital.
At another hospital, al-Amal, medical staff were also targeted. A worker recalled being shot by a sniper as they approached the emergency entrance. “The Israeli army is shooting non-stop,” they said.
Settler Attacks Stoke Tensions
Meanwhile, violence erupted in other parts of the West Bank. In the villages of Jinsafut and al-Funduq, masked Israeli settlers attacked Palestinian homes and businesses, torching property and injuring at least 21 people, according to the Palestinian Red Crescent. The incidents came amid rising tensions following a ceasefire in Gaza and a controversial U.S. policy shift.
U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration announced the lifting of sanctions on Israeli settlers accused of violence in the West Bank. The move was celebrated by pro-settler Israeli officials but condemned by Palestinian leaders, who warned it would embolden further attacks. “This feels like a green light for settlers to commit more crimes,” said Luay Tayyam, mayor of al-Funduq.
Growing Crisis in the West Bank
The Israeli-Palestinian conflict has intensified since October 2023, following Hamas’s deadly attack on Israel and the subsequent war in Gaza. Israeli raids in the West Bank have increased, leaving hundreds of Palestinians dead. Concurrently, settler violence has surged, with rights group Peace Now reporting the establishment of 59 unauthorized settler outposts in 2024, more than double the previous year.
The situation in Jenin reflects the broader volatility of the region, where military operations, political shifts, and settler violence continue to exacerbate an already dire humanitarian crisis.
