33 Palestinians Killed in Week-Long Israeli Operations in West Bank
Israel’s week-long military operations in the West Bank have resulted in the deaths of 33 Palestinians and injuries to approximately 140 others, according to the Palestinian Health Ministry.
The fatalities include 19 in Jenin, four in Tubas, seven in Tulkarm—all in the northern West Bank—and three in Hebron in the south, the Ministry reported on Wednesday.
Israeli forces have continued their operations in Jenin and its camp for the eighth consecutive day, causing extensive damage to infrastructure, including water and electricity networks, and civilian property, as reported by the Palestinian news agency WAFA.
Philippe Lazzarini, Commissioner-General of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East, described Jenin as being severely affected by violence and destruction. On social media, Lazzarini urged for “immediate protection of civilians across the West Bank” and called on both the Israeli military and Palestinian armed groups to “uphold the protection of civilians and ensure access to assistance.”
Since August 28, Israel has been carrying out a major raid in the northern West Bank, aiming to arrest individuals it deems a threat and to prevent future attacks against Israel. The Palestinian Health Ministry has reported that over 680 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli attacks across the West Bank since the conflict with Gaza began last October.
The current operation marks Israel’s largest military action in the northern West Bank in two decades, resulting in significant destruction. Jenin Mayor Nidal al-Obaidi has declared the city a “disaster area” due to ongoing destruction.
Tensions remain high in the occupied West Bank amid continued Israeli assaults on the Gaza Strip, which have resulted in over 40,800 Palestinian deaths, predominantly women and children, since October 7 last year. In the West Bank, at least 685 people have been killed and more than 5,700 injured by Israeli fire, according to the Health Ministry.
This escalation follows a landmark International Court of Justice opinion on July 19, which deemed Israel’s long-standing occupation of Palestinian land unlawful and called for the evacuation of all settlements in the West Bank and East Jerusalem.
