WEST BANK: In a major  escalation, Israeli forces have commenced a large-scale military operation in the West Bank, resulting in the deaths of at least 10 Hamas militants. The operation, which began overnight and continued into Wednesday, has focused on the city of Jenin, a known militant stronghold, as well as the areas of Tulkarem and the Al-Faraa refugee camp.

This operation is one of the largest in recent months and highlights the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict, extending beyond the recent Gaza war that started after Hamas' attack on October 7. Israel's aim is to target militants in the West Bank to prevent future attacks. However, Palestinians are concerned that these actions might lead to a broader conflict and efforts to displace them from their claimed territories.

Lt. Col. Nadav Shoshani, an Israeli military spokesperson, reported that "large forces" were deployed in Jenin, Tulkarem, and the Al-Faraa refugee camp. According to Shoshani, three militants were killed in an airstrike in Tulkarem and four in Al-Faraa. In addition, five suspected militants were arrested. He described the raids as the first phase of a larger operation. Palestinian sources confirmed that four individuals were killed by Israeli fire in Jenin.

Hamas confirmed the deaths of 10 of its fighters in the West Bank on Wednesday, including three of the four killed in Jenin. The identity of the fourth individual remains unclear. The Israeli military has stated that all those killed were militants.

The governor of Jenin, Kamal Abu al-Rub, reported on Palestinian radio that Israeli forces have surrounded the city, blocking all entry and exit points, as well as access to hospitals, and damaging infrastructure in the camp.

The Palestinian Health Ministry reported that Israeli forces had obstructed roads leading to hospitals with dirt barriers and surrounded other medical facilities in Jenin. Shoshani mentioned that the military’s actions were aimed at preventing militants from using hospitals as shelters.

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