Israeli Forces launch largest West Bank operation in over 20 years as conflict escalates

WEST BANK — The conflict in the Holy Land has expanded beyond Gaza, with Israeli officials indicating that the war is likely to extend into the West Bank. This escalation follows large-scale attacks by the Israeli Army on Jenin, Tulkarem, and Tubas, marking the most extensive military operation in the West Bank in over 20 years.

According to local reports, 11 Palestinians were killed during the operation, which involved aerial bombardments, armed clashes, and raids. The Israeli forces employed a combination of special forces units, combat engineers, border police, armored vehicles, and bulldozers.

Israel stated that the objective of the operation was to target the infrastructure of Palestinian factions that are financially supported by Iran.

In response, the Al-Qassam Brigades, Al-Quds Brigades, and Al-Aqsa Brigades reported engaging in fierce clashes with the Israeli Army across multiple fronts, claiming to have inflicted casualties and caused significant damage to military vehicles.

This operation follows accusations by Israeli security officials that Iran and Hamas are attempting to escalate tensions in the West Bank as a strategy to deter an Israeli attack on Iran and Lebanon while alleviating pressure on Gaza.

Meanwhile, the World Food Program (WFP) has temporarily suspended its operations across Gaza after one of its vehicles was struck by at least 10 bullets near an Israeli military checkpoint. The UN Secretary-General’s spokesman, Stéphane Dujarric, confirmed that the occupants of the vehicle, part of a humanitarian aid convoy coordinated with Israeli authorities, survived the attack.

Dujarric added that this incident underscores the inadequacy of current coordination systems and emphasized ongoing efforts with the Israeli Army to prevent such occurrences in the future.