Israel has intensified military operations to counter increasing Palestinian militant attacks, including shootings targeting Israelis. Officials say these raids aim to dismantle militant networks operating in the occupied territories.
On Wednesday night, an Israeli airstrike in the northern West Bank killed at least ten people, according to Palestinian health authorities. The strike marked an escalation in Israel’s military response.
The Israeli military confirmed that a warplane targeted a Palestinian militant cell based on intelligence reports. Residents in the village of Tamoun said the strike hit a house in a densely populated area. The Palestinian Health Ministry warned that the death toll could rise.
Palestinian Groups Condemn Strikes as Violence Intensifies
Palestinians argue that Israel’s military actions, including the ongoing operation in Jenin, fuel further unrest and prolong the conflict. The current raid in the Jenin refugee camp has already claimed at least 18 Palestinian lives.
Hamas released a statement mourning those killed in Tamoun but did not claim them as members. The group called on Palestinians in Israel and the occupied West Bank to mobilize against Israeli actions. Hamas warned that Israel must “pay the price for its crimes.”
Israel’s defense minister signaled that military operations in Jenin would continue indefinitely. Israel Katz vowed that the urban refugee camp, a known militant stronghold, “will not return to what it was.”
Escalating Casualties Amid Israeli Military Operations
Israeli forces have killed 18 alleged Palestinian militants during the nine-day raid in Jenin. Soldiers and armored bulldozers have demolished homes and caused significant damage in the area.
Palestinian health officials report that Israeli fire has killed about 20 Palestinians since the raid began, including a 2-year-old girl. Israel’s military has promised to investigate her death.
Overnight, Israeli fire killed two Palestinians in the occupied West Bank. A 23-year-old man died in Tulkarem, while a 25-year-old man was killed in Jenin. The Palestinian Health Ministry does not differentiate between civilians and combatants in its reports.
