Israel launches major operation in the West Bank, killing nine Palestinians

Israel launched a major military operation in the occupied West Bank on Wednesday, attacking the city of Jenin and other areas, killing at least nine Palestinians. The operation, which included air strikes and ground troops, is part of Israel's ongoing efforts to dismantle terrorist networks following the Hamas attack from Gaza on October 7.

Israeli military spokesman Lt. Col. Nadav Shoshani said nine fighters were killed and five other suspects arrested in the attacks. The operation, described as the first phase of a larger campaign, is aimed at preventing future attacks on Israelis.

In response, Palestinian groups exchanged fire with Israeli troops and the city of Jenin was sealed off. Roads to hospitals were blocked by Israeli forces. The Palestinian Health Ministry reported that seven bodies were taken to a hospital in Tubas and two more to Jenin. The escalation was sharply criticized by Palestinian officials. Nabil Abu Rudeineh, spokesman for President Mahmoud Abbas, condemned the attacks as a “serious escalation” and called for US intervention.

At least 652 Palestinians have been killed in Israeli operations in the West Bank since the Gaza war began. Israel says these attacks are necessary to crush Hamas and other groups, while Palestinians fear an escalation of the conflict.

The ongoing violence has caused widespread devastation: in the Gaza Strip, more than 40,500 Palestinians, 1,600 Israelis and nearly 900 Lebanese, Syrians and Iranians have been killed, according to their respective governments. More than two million people have been displaced in Gaza, Israel and Lebanon, and widespread destruction has been seen throughout the region.