Israeli military launches large counter-terror operation in West Bank

The Israel Defense Forces launched a large-scale counter-terrorism operation in the Jenin and Tulkarem areas of northern Samaria overnight Tuesday, involving hundreds of troops and air support.

Nine Palestinians were killed, according to the IDF — three armed terrorists who posed a threat to security forces in Jenin in an aerial strike, two armed terrorists in clashes with Judea and Samaria Border Guard forces and another four in a drone strike in the Far’a camp in Tubas.

The Palestinian Health Ministry said that at least 11 Palestinians had been killed.

Israeli forces have also arrested several Palestinians during the operation, which is expected to last for several days. Weapons, ammunition and military equipment were also confiscated.

Israeli forces also “exposed and dismantled explosives that were planted under the roads” and which were intended to be used in attacks against IDF troops.

According to Palestinian reports, Israeli forces were surrounding the Ibn Sina Hospital in Jenin, and forces were deployed at the entrances of other hospitals as well. The IDF denied Palestinian claims that troops had entered the facilities, stressing that the hospitals’ function had not been disrupted and it was still possible to enter and leave them.

Two brigade combat teams are taking part in the operation, with most of the forces being concentrated near Tulkarem, according to Ynet. In addition to the IDF, the Israel Security Agency and Israel Border Police are participating in the operation.

Five terrorists struck in Nur Shams ‘operations room’

The Israeli military revealed on Wednesday morning that five terrorists were killed on Monday in a joint IDF and Israel Security Agency operation near Nur Shams in northern Samaria.

One of the fatalities, Jibril Ghassan Ismail Jibril, was released from prison as part of the Israel-Hamas hostage deal reached in November. He was involved in terror activity in the areas of Tulkarem and Qalqilya, according to the military.

Mohanad Qarawi and Muhammad Yussef were involved in terrorist activity in Nur Shams, while Adnan Jaber was in involved in terrorist activity and manufactured explosives intended to harm security forces.

The structure targeted in the operation “was used by the terrorists to conduct terrorist activity and harm IDF soldiers operating in the area,” said the IDF, which published a video of the strike.