Israel Launches Largest Operation in Years in Northern West Bank
Israel launched a major operation in the northern West Bank on Wednesday — including raids and airstrikes — killing at least 10 Palestinians. Israel said this is the 'most expansive' military operation it has launched in the territory in years....
0:00
/1861
Facts
- Israel launched a major operation in the northern West Bank on Wednesday — including raids and airstrikes — killing at least 10 Palestinians. Israel said this is the 'most expansive' military operation it has launched in the territory in years.[1]
- The offensive has focused on the governorates of Tulkarem, Jenin, Nablus, and Tubas, with Israeli forces encircling Jenin and completely closing it off. Jenin's governor and Israeli media reported that hospitals in Tulkarem and Tubas had also been surrounded.[2][3]
- This is thought to be the first time since the Second Intifada in the 2000s that Israel has launched large raids and military operations against multiple cities and towns in the West Bank at the same time. Hamas confirmed that six of those killed in Jenin were fighters affiliated with the group.[4]
- Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz said the operation was part of a 'full-fledged war,' adding that Israeli forces must implement similar measures in the West Bank that have been used in Gaza, including mass evacuations. Palestinians fear that the evacuations would serve as a means to forcefully displace them.[5]
- Hamas accused Israel of attempting to expand the war in Gaza to the West Bank, calling on the Palestinian Authority (PA), which partially governs the area, to counter Israel's operations. Hamas further alleged that Israel's ultimate goal is to 'impose a new state of affairs on the ground to annex the West Bank.'[6]
- Meanwhile, in Gaza, Israeli forces pushed deeper into Khan Younis, with residents reporting that Israeli tanks had reached the city center. Evacuation orders and Israeli operations in Gaza have pushed the majority of the strip's population into overcrowded tent camps in the center of the enclave.[7][8]
Sources: [1]CNN, [2]Al Jazeera, [3]Timesofisrael (a), [4]BBC News, [5]NBC, [6]Timesofisrael (b), [7]Reuters and [8]Aa.
Narratives
- Pro-establishment narrative, as provided by CNN. Though Israel has a right to defend itself and ensure that cities in the West Bank are not used to launch terror attacks, the US is still concerned regarding Israeli settlers and gratuitous military action in the territory. Israel must curb settler violence against innocent Palestinians and work toward finding a political solution. The US will also work to sideline the threat settlers pose to peace via sanctions.
- Pro-Israel narrative, as provided by Jerusalem Post. It is becoming increasingly clear that Israel may have to treat the West Bank like Gaza in terms of ensuring its security. Iran is not only supporting terror in Gaza, Lebanon, and Syria but also in the West Bank, where it has attempted to enflame the situation by funding and arming terrorists via Jordan. The war against terror is a war Israel must win.
- Pro-Palestine narrative, as provided by Middle East Eye. It's clear that Israel wants to expand its war on Gaza to the occupied West Bank as it besieges hospitals and bombards cities and towns. Katz's comments also indicate Israel's objective is to violently displace Palestinians in the West Bank, much like what has been done in Gaza. Israeli forces have also targeted hospitals like they have in Gaza, further demonstrating Israel's desire to escalate the situation.
