The Israeli army is launching a large-scale military operation in the northern West Bank, claiming it aims to prevent the regrouping of armed resistance groups in the Tubas district. But the real reason may be related to settlement expansion.
Israel’s old policy of containing armed resistance in the West Bank is over. Palestinians are now wondering whether the war on Gaza has expanded to the West Bank.
The Israeli army’s large-scale assault on the northern West Bank has entered its second day. During a battle in Nur Shams refugee camp, the Israeli army killed wanted resistance fighter Muhammad Jaber “Abu Shuja’,” leader of the Tulkarem Brigade.
The Israeli army claims that its operation in the northern West Bank cities of Jenin, Tulkarem, and Tubas is the largest since Operation Defensive Shield in 2002.
The U.S. and Israel intensify preparations for a potential Iranian strike in response to Iran’s Damascus consulate attack. Hamas conditioned a ceasefire and prisoner swap on the return of displaced Palestinians to northern Gaza.
Israeli forces conducted a four-hour long raid in the norther Jordan valley, killing three Palestinians. Residents say one of the targets of the raid was a resistance fighter and commander of a local battalion called the Tubas Brigade.