The loss of life toll climbed Thursday as Israel pressed a large-scale army operation within the occupied West Financial institution for a second day, regardless of UN considerations it’s “fuelling an already explosive state of affairs”.
The operation was launched as violence raged on within the different foremost Palestinian territory, the Gaza Strip, which has been devastated by battle since Hamas’s unprecedented October 7 assaults.
Israel started coordinated raids within the northern West Financial institution cities of Jenin, Tubas and Tulkarem early on Wednesday, in what the army known as a “counter-terrorism” operation.
Columns of Israeli armoured autos backed by troops and warplanes have been despatched in earlier than troopers encircled refugee camps in Tubas and Tulkarem, in addition to Jenin, and exchanged fireplace with Palestinian militants.
The military stated it killed 5 militants in Tulkarem through the newest operations within the West Financial institution on Thursday, bringing the general toll to 14 lifeless.
“Following exchanges of fireside, the forces eradicated 5 terrorists who had hidden inside a mosque” in Tulkarem, the army stated in an announcement.
Palestinian militant group Islamic Jihad confirmed the loss of life of Muhammad Jabber, also called Abu Shujaa, its commander within the Nur Shams refugee camp in Tulkarem.
The violence has prompted vital destruction, particularly in Tulkarem, whose governor described the raids as “unprecedented” and a “harmful sign”.
AFPTV footage confirmed bulldozers ripping up the asphalt from streets within the metropolis as a precaution towards hid explosives. Authorities reported widespread harm to infrastructure, together with to water and sewage networks.
The Palestinian well being ministry stated 12 Palestinians have been killed on the primary day of the operation.
Witnesses stated the Israeli forces had withdrawn from Al-Farra refugee camp in Tubas the place a number of Palestinians have been killed on Wednesday.
– ‘Explosive state of affairs’ –
An AFP photographer stated clashes have been nonetheless happening in Jenin, the place a drone was seen flying overhead.
One other AFP journalist stated Israeli troopers have been nonetheless working in Tulkarem.
The Palestinian Prisoners’ Membership stated not less than 45 folks had been arrested for the reason that begin of the Israeli operation within the northern West Financial institution.
The United Nations expressed concern over the Israeli operations within the West Financial institution.
UN chief Antonio Guterres, in an announcement, known as for an “speedy cessation of those operations”.
Guterres condemned using air strikes on civilian targets and “the lack of lives, together with of youngsters”.
“These harmful developments are fuelling an already explosive state of affairs within the occupied West Financial institution and additional undermining the Palestinian Authority,” the UN assertion stated.
Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas on Wednesday lower brief a go to to Saudi Arabia to deal with the disaster, whereas Jordan’s King Abdullah II appealed for a ceasefire in Gaza to cease the unfold of violence.
Because the battle started, not less than 637 Palestinians have been killed within the West Financial institution by Israeli troops or settlers, in line with the United Nations.
Nineteen Israelis, together with troopers, have been killed in Palestinian assaults or throughout military operations, in line with Israeli official figures.
– ‘Do not know the place to go’ –
Violence additionally raged in Gaza, the place the Israeli army on Thursday stated it “eradicated dozens” of militants through the previous day in close-quarters fight and air strikes.
The military stated a type of killed within the Khan Yunis space was a militant who took half within the October 7 assault.
The battle in Gaza erupted after Hamas-led militants attacked Israel on October 7, ensuing within the deaths of 1,199 folks, principally civilians, in line with an AFP tally primarily based on Israeli official figures.
Militants additionally seized 251 folks, 103 of whom are nonetheless captive in Gaza, together with 33 the Israeli army says are lifeless.
Israel’s retaliatory army marketing campaign has killed not less than 40,602 folks in Gaza, in line with the Hamas-run territory’s well being ministry. The UN rights workplace says a lot of the lifeless are girls and kids.
The battle has devastated Gaza and triggered a humanitarian disaster.
The United Nations stated it was persevering with to ship humanitarian help regardless of the upheaval to civilians and help groups brought on by repeated Israeli evacuation orders and army operations.
“It is simply catastrophic,” stated Louise Wateridge, a spokesperson for the UN company for Palestine refugees, or UNRWA.
“What we’re seeing now could be households, moms, kids dragging their belongings,” she stated on social media platform X.
“There’s very restricted entry to any type of autos for this type of displacement now, and other people simply do not know the place to go.”
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