Israeli forces conducted a series of operations across the occupied West Bank on Wednesday, resulting in the deaths of at least nine Palestinians, according to reports from Palestinian officials. These raids, which targeted multiple locations, included the city of Jenin, where Israeli forces reportedly sealed off entry and exit points, disrupted access to hospitals, and damaged infrastructure within the city’s refugee camp, according to Jenin’s governor, Kamal Abu al-Rub.
The Israeli military confirmed operations were underway in the cities of Jenin and Tulkarem but did not provide further specifics. The ongoing conflict has seen near-daily military actions in the West Bank, particularly after Hamas launched an attack on Israel from Gaza on October 7, sparking the current hostilities.
Palestinian militant groups reported exchanges of gunfire with Israeli troops during these operations. The Palestinian Health Ministry reported that seven individuals were killed in Tubas, another West Bank city, with an additional two fatalities occurring in Jenin. The deceased in Jenin were identified as Qassam Jabarin, 25, and Asem Balout, 39.
Since the onset of the Gaza conflict over ten months ago, more than 600 Palestinians in the West Bank have been killed by Israeli forces, according to the Palestinian Health Ministry.
These deaths have primarily occurred during similar raids, which often escalate into armed confrontations with militants. Israel maintains that these operations are necessary to dismantle militant groups like Hamas and prevent attacks on Israeli civilians, which have increased since the war began.
