In one of the most intense military operations in decades, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) launched a sweeping overnight raid across multiple locations in the occupied West Bank on August 28, 2024. The operation targeted the cities of Jenin, Tulkarm, and the Nur al-Shams refugee camp, resulting in the deaths of at least 11 Palestinians and wounding over two dozen others, according to Palestinian health officials. The IDF described the raid as a "counter-terrorism operation" aimed at dismantling militant infrastructure, particularly those backed by Iran.
The raids began late Tuesday night and extended into the early hours of Wednesday, involving hundreds of Israeli soldiers, supported by drones and airstrikes. One of the most significant incidents occurred when an Israeli drone struck a vehicle in Jenin, killing three militants. In another strike, five militants were killed in the Nur al-Shams refugee camp, where the IDF claimed they were operating a command center for planning and executing attacks against Israeli forces.
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This operation is part of Israel's broader campaign against Hamas and other militant groups, which has intensified since the outbreak of the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza following a deadly Hamas attack on October 7, 2023. Since then, Israel has ramped up its military presence in the West Bank, leading to frequent clashes.
Palestinian officials report that over 577 Palestinians have been killed in the West Bank since the conflict began.
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The operation in the West Bank mirrors the tactics Israel has used in Gaza, with some Israeli officials advocating for similar large-scale evacuations. Foreign Minister Israel Katz called for the "temporary evacuation" of Palestinian residents in certain areas to ensure the military could operate without endangering civilians.
Katz drew parallels between the West Bank and Gaza, emphasizing that Israel must "deal with the threat just as we deal with the terrorist infrastructure in Gaza."
The prospect of evacuations in the West Bank has sparked significant concern among Palestinians and international observers. The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) warned that such actions could exacerbate the already dire humanitarian situation in the region. The Palestinian Authority condemned the operation, accusing Israel of escalating tensions and undermining any prospects for peace.
The situation in the West Bank remains volatile, with fears that this large-scale operation could trigger further violence. Israel's military actions in the West Bank and Gaza continue to draw international scrutiny, as the death toll rises and the humanitarian crisis deepens.
