Israeli Forces Kill at Least 10 Palestinians in West Bank Raid, Sparks Condemnation

At least ten Palestinians have been killed and more than 35 wounded in a large-scale Israeli military operation across the Jenin governorate in the occupied West Bank, Al Jazeera reports, citing the Palestinian Ministry of Health.

The operation, dubbed “Iron Wall” by the Israeli military, has been described by a local official as an “invasion.”

The Israeli military said its forces, alongside police and intelligence services, launched a “counterterrorism action” but provided no further details regarding the operation’s specific objectives. The identity of those killed in the violence was not immediately clear.

A spokesperson for the Palestinian Authority (PA) security forces said that Israeli forces “opened fire on civilians and security forces,” resulting in injuries to numerous civilians and security personnel, with one officer reported to be in critical condition.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated the operation aimed to “eradicate terrorism.”

Jenin Governor Kamal Abu al-Rub told the AFP news agency the action was an “invasion,” reflecting the strong reaction to the Israeli incursion.

This latest violence in Jenin, a frequent site of Israeli raids and incursions, comes just days after a ceasefire took effect in the Gaza Strip.

Prior to the Israeli operation, the PA’s security forces had been working to reassert control of the city of Jenin and its refugee camp.

The incident follows a recent Israeli air raid on the Jenin refugee camp last week, which killed at least three Palestinians and injured many others. On Monday, Israeli settlers, reportedly under the protection of Israeli forces, set fire to vehicles and properties, injuring at least 21 Palestinians across the West Bank. The Israeli military stated it is investigating the settler incident, which it said involved dozens of civilians, some wearing masks.

The latest surge in violence is part of a larger trend, as the West Bank has experienced a dramatic increase in unrest since the start of Israel’s war on Gaza on October 7, 2023. According to the Palestinian Ministry of Health, Israeli troops or settlers have killed at least 847 Palestinians in the West Bank since the beginning of the conflict. Israeli figures indicate that at least 29 Israelis have been killed in Palestinian attacks or during Israeli military raids in the same time period.