Clashes Intensify in Jenin

Violent clashes erupted between Israeli forces and Palestinian fighters in the occupied West Bank city of Jenin on Saturday as Israel continued its large-scale military operation. The operation, one of the most extensive in months, aims to thwart attacks by Iranian-backed militant groups targeting Israeli citizens.

Military Operations and Rising Tensions

Israeli troops conducted searches around Jewish settlements following two separate security incidents on Friday evening. In Jenin, drones and helicopters hovered overhead, while sporadic gunfire echoed through the city. Hundreds of Israeli soldiers have been involved in the raids since Wednesday, drawing international calls for de-escalation.

Casualties and Civilian Impact

The ongoing military action has resulted in the deaths of at least 19 Palestinians, including both armed fighters and civilians. On Saturday, the Israeli military reported that a soldier had been killed in the West Bank clashes. Meanwhile, the Palestinian Red Crescent reported that a child was hospitalized with a bullet wound to the head in Jenin.

Broader Regional Conflict

The escalation in the West Bank comes amid ongoing hostilities between Israeli forces and Hamas militants in Gaza, as well as increasing tensions with the Iranian-backed Hezbollah movement along the Israel-Lebanon border. On Friday, Israeli forces responded to two separate incidents near the Gush Etzion settlement cluster, resulting in the deaths of two men, which were later confirmed by Palestinian health authorities.

Reactions and Future Measures

Hamas praised the incidents in the West Bank as a “double heroic operation” and reiterated its commitment to resisting the Israeli occupation. While the group did not claim responsibility for the attacks, Israeli army chief General Herzi Halevi stated that Israel would intensify both defensive and offensive measures, including the ongoing Jenin operation.

Ongoing Operations and Infrastructure Damage

As the military action continues, armored bulldozers searching for roadside bombs have damaged infrastructure, leading to flooding in some areas. The conflict has claimed the lives of at least 660 Palestinian combatants and civilians in the West Bank since the onset of the Gaza war in October. Israel asserts that Iran is supplying weapons and support to militant factions in the West Bank, prompting a significant increase in military operations in the region.