Israel launched a major military operation across the northern occupied West Bank in territories where Hamas militants have a stronghold. In a post on X, the Israeli military said it killed at least five militants and apprehended wanted suspected terrorists in a counterterror initiative.
Hamas announced 10 of its fighters were killed in the West Bank on Wednesday, Aug. 27, according to The Associated Press.
The IDF conducted airstrikes and sealed off the city of Jenin. It also confirmed it carried out the raids as a large counterterror initiative in collaboration with the Israeli Security Agency.
The governor of Jenin said the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) was blocking access roads to hospitals and blocking exit and entry points into and out of the city while destroying infrastructure.
A spokesperson for the IDF said they were preventing Hamas militants from using the hospital as a form of shelter.
Israel said it is in the first stages of this operation with a mission to crush Hamas and Islamic Jihad groups to prevent further attacks on Israel.
The IDF and Palestinian militants escalated their deadly battles in the West Bank since Hamas’ October 2023 terror attack on Israel that left 1,200 dead.
The U.N. humanitarian coordinator revealed that over 1,400 structures across the West Bank have been demolished or confiscated by Israeli forces, further destabilizing Palestinian communities, and the humanitarian crisis is rapidly deteriorating.
The Israel-Hamas war significantly impacted the West Bank, with Palestinian health officials reporting over 600 Palestinian deaths since the conflict started last October.
As the Israel-Hamas war enters its 11th month, diplomatic efforts have intensified with cease-fire talks shifting from Cairo to Doha.
Diplomatic efforts led by the U.S., Qatar, and Egypt continue to broker a comprehensive cease-fire agreement, aiming to secure the release of hostages, facilitate the return of Palestinian prisoners, and increase humanitarian aid to Gaza.
The situation in Gaza remains dire. About 90% of the population remains displaced and faces widespread destruction. Additionally, Hamas still holds more than 100 hostages, with a third of them believed to be dead.
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