Shifting Gears

Israel launched a major operation in the West Bank city of Jenin Tuesday, aiming to “defeat terrorism” in the occupied Palestinian territory, in a military campaign coming just two days after it began a ceasefire with Hamas that ended months of conflict in the Gaza Strip, the Times of Israel reported.

The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF), supported by police and Shin Bet security forces, dubbed the operation “Iron Wall” and said it aims to dismantle militant networks and neutralize imminent threats.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the military campaign will “bolster security” in the West Bank following months of rising violence.

Ahead of the Israeli advance, Palestinian security forces reportedly withdrew from the refugee camp in Jenin. Palestinian media reported intense clashes, road blockages, and airstrikes targeting alleged militant strongholds.

The Palestinian health ministry said at least at least eight Palestinians died and 35 others were injured, the BBC added.

Meanwhile, Palestinian armed groups Hamas and Islamic Jihad condemned the operation and called for escalated resistance, Reuters noted.

The offensive follows the fragile ceasefire agreement in Gaza that began Sunday, halting a 15-month war between Israel and Hamas that devastated much of Gaza’s infrastructure and left 47,000 Palestinians dead, according to local health authorities. While many in Gaza celebrated the truce, the West Bank operation has sparked fresh fears of regional instability.

There has been a sharp rise in violence in the West Bank since the Oct. 7, 2023 attack when Hamas and its allies attacked southern Israel, killing around 1,200 Israelis and taking more than 250 hostages.

Since then, Israeli security forces have arrested around 6,000 individuals in the West Bank, including 2,350 they say are affiliated with Hamas, the Times of Israel wrote separately. Officials in the Palestinian Authority (PA) alleged that more than 858 Palestinians had been killed during that 15-month period – with the IDF claiming that the majority of the casualties were gunmen or terrorists carrying out attacks, a claim that Palestinians dispute.

Tuesday’s operation also comes amid a backdrop of rising settler violence.

On Monday, masked Israeli settlers attacked Palestinian villages near al-Funduq, burning cars and homes, following earlier attacks tied to outrage over the release of Palestinian prisoners in the Gaza ceasefire deal. The PA condemned the settler attacks and accused Israel of using roadblocks and military operations to fragment the West Bank further.

Analysts warn the ongoing West Bank operation could derail efforts to stabilize the region after the Gaza ceasefire.

Meanwhile, Israeli Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi and Southern Command head Maj. Gen. Yaron Finkelman resigned Tuesday, citing the military’s failure to prevent the Oct. 7 attack, the Associated Press wrote.

Their departures have intensified domestic calls for accountability and a public inquiry in relation to the attacks on Oct. 7, 2023. The also contrast with Netanyahu’s resistance to an inquiry, analysts said.