Over the past two days, Israeli forces have ramped up their brutal terrorist activities in the occupied West Bank of Palestine, targeting cities like Jenin, Tulkarm, and Far’a. Under the guise of a “counter-terrorism operation,” these actions have resulted in widespread devastation, with the Palestinian health ministry reporting at least 16 deaths since Wednesday morning. The so-called operation has been met with international condemnation, including calls for de-escalation from the United Nations.
What Is Israel’s Real Agenda Behind These Raids?
Despite its claims, Israel’s actions in the West Bank of Palestine have caused significant harm to civilians and critical infrastructure. The UN Secretary General, Antonio Guterres, has demanded that Israel immediately halt its offensive, saying it is “fuelling an already explosive situation.” He urged Israeli forces to “exercise maximum restraint and use lethal force only when it is strictly unavoidable.”
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Israeli forces, however, continue to escalate the violence. According to the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), 12 people were killed in Jenin and Tulkarm, and four in Far’a. The IDF claims that five were killed during “exchanges of fire” with militants who had “hidden inside a mosque,” while seven people were killed in Jenin. In fact these were unarmed worshippers in a mosque who were brutally murdered by IDF. These justifications are part of a narrative that seeks to frame the massacre of Palestinians as a response to militant activity.
Who Are the Victims of Israel’s Brutal Campaign?
Among those killed was Mohammed Jaber, also known as Abu Shujaa, reportedly the local leader of the Tulkarem Brigade, a group backed by the Palestinian Islamic Jihad. The Tulkarm Brigade responded to his assassination, stating that their fighters ambushed an Israeli infantry unit “in response to the assassination of our commander.”
In Far’a, Israeli forces reportedly killed four armed militants inside a vehicle. However, many Palestinians and human rights observers argue that Israel’s actions amount to collective punishment against entire communities. The Palestinian Mission to the UN condemned the raids in a letter on Thursday, stating that Israeli forces “invaded homes, deliberately targeted civilians, destroyed vital infrastructure, and even besieged the four main hospitals in the area.”
How Is Israel Justifying Its Aggression?
In response to international criticism, the IDF has doubled down, claiming it is only targeting armed militants linked to previous attacks. However, this narrative fails to account for the widespread civilian casualties and destruction caused by their actions. In Jenin, for example, Israeli forces have blocked access to the camp, disrupted Palestinian phone networks, and even stopped ambulances from reaching the wounded.
This is not an isolated event. Israeli media indicate that this is part of a potentially days-long operation in the West Bank, one of the largest since the second Palestinian intifada two decades ago. The operation is causing fear and suffering among the civilian population, who have been caught in the crossfire of Israel’s aggression.
Is Israel’s Operation Really About Stopping Terror?
Israel’s ambassador to the UN, Danny Danon, claims that the operation has a “clear goal: preventing Iranian terror-by-proxy that would harm Israeli civilians.” He accused Iran of trying to smuggle in explosives to attack Israel, adding that Israel “cannot sit idly by and wait for the spectacle of buses and cafes exploding in city centres.” However, this justification is seen by many as a pretext for further violence against Palestinians and the seizure of more Palestinian land.
The European Union’s foreign policy chief, Josep Borrell, has warned that Israel’s actions in the West Bank “must not constitute the premises of a war extension from Gaza.” He has begun consulting EU members on possible sanctions against certain Israeli ministers, whom he accuses of “launching unacceptable hate messages against the Palestinians” and advocating actions that “clearly go against international law.”
What Does the Future Hold for Palestinians Under Israeli Occupation?
Since the October 7 attack by Hamas and the ensuing war in Gaza, there has been a noticeable spike in violence in the West Bank. Israeli settlers have seized this opportunity to grab Palestinian land, hoping to hold onto it permanently. Meanwhile, Israel’s military continues its aggressive campaigns against Palestinian communities, causing immense human suffering and displacement.
The situation remains tense, with many questioning Israel’s true motives. Is this really a counter-terrorism operation, or is it a calculated move to expand its control over Palestinian territories? As the world watches, the call for justice and an end to these crimes against humanity grows louder. For the Palestinian people, this is not just another raid; it is a continuation of decades of oppression and violence by a state that many believe has no real interest in peace.
