Ongoing disputes in the Middle Eastern region - Israel embarks on a substantial campaign within the West Bank
Overnight, Israel's military initiated a significant operation in the annexed West Bank regions. As per military communiqués, counter-terrorism activities are underway in Jenin and Tulkarem, known for their high concentration of radical Palestinian militants. Reputable news sources suggest that the military is deploying substantial infantry units, drones, and snipers, dismantling infrastructure with bulldozers, and blocking all road access to Jenin.
Two individuals lost their lives in Jenin, as reported by Ramallah's health department, with several others injured. Subsequently, Wafa, the Palestinian news agency, reported two more fatalities from a drone strike on a refugee camp near Tubas, and three more from a drone strike on a vehicle south of Jenin. It's uncertain if the deceased were militant Palestinians. The army declined to provide specifics regarding the operation.
Media outlets describe this operation as a large-scale military campaign, with Al Jazeera characterizing it as the most extensive such operation by the Israeli military in the northern West Bank within the past 20 years. According to Al Jazeera, Palestinians attacked soldiers with firearms and explosives in Tulkarem's refugee district, Nur Shams, and clashes occurred in other West Bank towns.
Jenin and Tulkarem Under Siege
Wafa relayed that an abundance of military vehicles entered Jenin, with Al Jazeera confirming that the city was absolutely encircled. As per ynet, security forces were searching for wanted individuals in refugee neighborhoods in Jenin and Tulkarem.
Israeli and Palestinian media sources revealed that the forces also surrounded hospitals in both cities and obstructed ambulance access. The military is controlling entry to the hospital buildings to deter militants from seeking shelter there, ynet reported.
The turmoil in the West Bank has worsened since the Hamas slaughter on October 7, 2023, which marked the onset of the Gaza conflict. In the ensuing months, over 620 Palestinians have perished in Israeli military operations, conflicts, and extremist assaults, according to provisional figures from the Ramallah health ministry.
Frequent intrusions by the Israeli military have been a regular occurrence in Jenin and Tulkarem. Just last Monday, five people lost their lives in an Israeli airstrike in Tulkarem's Nur Shams refugee neighborhood, as per the health ministry, whose target was militant Palestinians, according to the Israeli military.
Amnesty International Demands EU Sanctions against Israel
The level of brutality by Israeli settlers against Palestinians has increased substantially since the October massacre. Amnesty International strongly condemns Israel's settlement policy and is advocating for severe European sanctions ahead of new EU deliberations on the Middle East conflict.
In a correspondence to the foreign ministers of the 27 EU nations and the EU's High Representative Josep Borrell, the human rights organization urged for a complete arms embargo, a restriction on investments in certain Israeli companies and banks, and the prohibition of trade in goods originating from Israeli settlements in occupied territories within the EU. The occupation of Palestinian territories is unlawful and should be discontinued as promptly as possible, as affirmed in a July ruling by the International Court of Justice.
Alleged Israeli Drone Strike in Lebanon
While frequent skirmishes between Israel's military and militant Palestinians take place in the West Bank, virtually daily confrontations with Hezbollah militia and other groups on the Lebanese border occur, resulting in casualties on both sides. Lebanese security agencies and Hezbollah-connected Al-Manar TV reported an alleged Israeli drone strike on a truck in northern Lebanon, approximately 100 kilometers from the border.
Eyewitnesses reported explosions, and the truck may have been carrying Hezbollah weaponry, according to reports. One individual was injured, as per the Lebanese Health Ministry. The location is considered to be a stronghold of the Shia Hezbollah militia. Israel has yet to comment on the incident.
Hostage Rescued after Protracted Search
A ray of optimism emerged in the ongoing Middle Eastern conflict on Tuesday with the rescue of a hostage held by the Islamist Hamas group by Israeli special forces. The soldiers discovered Kaid Farhan Alkadi, unguarded, in one of Hamas' numerous tunnels under the Gaza Strip, according to army statements. They had reportedly been searching the underground tunnel system for days, as reported by the Wall Street Journal, citing a military representative. The Haaretz newspaper reported that Alkadi heard the soldiers during the operation and responded to them.
This marks the first instance of Israeli units rescuing a hostage from a Hamas tunnel alive. The seven previously rescued hostages were retrieved from houses in the Gaza Strip by military personnel at a significant cost.
The liberated hostage, a 52-year-old Bedouin, is currently receiving medical treatment and appears to be in good health, according to Israeli statements. Relatives described him as emaciated after their encounter. He reportedly experienced little daylight in the tunnel and witnessed another hostage pass away beside him.
Israeli politicians and relatives expressed elation at his release after 326 days in captivity. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and President Izchak Herzog spoke to Alkadi, who reportedly urged them to continue their efforts to bring people home, work tirelessly, and never rest until they are returned. The hostages suffered greatly, he noted, "you can't imagine."
According to Israeli statements, Alkadi was abducted on October 7 from a kibbutz situated near the Gaza Strip border, where he served as a security guard. Israeli media reported that he has 11 children.
Persistent Pursuit of Truce
In total, Palestinian terrorists abducted over 250 individuals from Israel into the coastal region on October 7 the previous year. Following the release of several hostages, Israel estimates that Hamas still maintains 108 captives. The number of survivors is unclear.
Amidst the ongoing clashes in Gaza, there's no sign of a halt, despite global efforts to broker a truce and free the remaining captives. As per Israeli news sources, an Israeli team is geared up to visit Doha for another round of talks with Hamas. The diplomatic dialogue, steered by Qatar, Egypt, and the USA, has been stagnant for quite some time now.
In response to the siege in Jenin and Tulkarem, human rights organization Amnesty International has called for EU sanctions against Israel, urging a complete arms embargo, a restriction on investments, and the prohibition of trade in goods originating from Israeli settlements in occupied territories.
Despite the ongoing operation in the annexed West Bank regions, other parts of Palestine have not been unaffected. Witnesses reported an alleged Israeli drone strike on a truck in northern Lebanon, resulting in one injury according to the Lebanese Health Ministry.
