A spokesperson for Red Crescent has reported that at least 10 Palestinians lost their lives in a significant offensive by Israel, involving air strikes and raids across the northern sector of the occupied West Bank. The death toll consisted of two casualties in Jenin city, another four in a neighbouring village, and four individuals in a refugee camp near Tubas. The spokesperson also noted that an additional 15 people were injured.
According to Palestinian news agency, Wafa, Israeli troops have undertaken a substantial operation in Tulkarm city, which included parameters around hospitals, hindering the citizens’ free movement around the city. Furthermore, Wafa has reported military vehicles blocking activity around the al-Israa specialised hospital in Tulkarm’s western section, and the Shahid Thabet Thabet Governmental hospital, thus obstructing the usual movement of ambulances.
In their most recent attack on the occupied West Bank, Israeli forces are also reported by Wafa to be demolishing Palestinian infrastructure using bulldozers. This is allegedly a common practice, where Israeli forces destroy Palestinian homes and infrastructure, using the pretext that they lack building permits – permits which are nearly unattainable for Palestinians.
Wafa further reported the deployment of four bulldozers in Tulkarm on Wednesday, which were used to destroy water networks and other infrastructure. The Israeli army made a statement early Wednesday, indicating that they were conducting an operation to prevent terrorism in Jenin and Tulkarm in the northern West Bank, and several “wanted Palestinians” were seized during this operation.
According to military sources, the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) anticipate that the current operation will continue for several days. The IDF has consistently attacked Palestinian communities in the West Bank following a Hamas assault on October 7th, which led to the Israel-Gaza conflict. Over 640 Palestinian casualties have been reported as a result of these attacks, including more than 100 children.