The death toll climbed on Thursday as Israel pressed a large-scale military operation in the occupied West Bank for a second day, despite UN concerns.
The operation was launched as violence raged on in the other main Palestinian territory, the Gaza Strip, which has been devastated by war since Hamas’s unprecedented October 7 attacks on Israel, Arab News reports.
Israel began coordinated raids in the northern West Bank cities of Jenin, Tubas and Tulkarem early on Wednesday, in what the military called a “counter-terrorism” operation.
Columns of Israeli armored vehicles backed by troops and warplanes were sent in before soldiers encircled refugee camps in Tubas and Tulkarem, as well as Jenin, and exchanged fire with Palestinian militants.
The army said it killed five militants in Tulkarem on Thursday, bringing to 14 the overall death toll since the launch of the West Bank operation.
Palestinian Islamic Jihad confirmed the death of Muhammad Jabber, also known as Abu Shujaa, its commander in the Nur Shams refugee camp in Tulkarem.
The violence has caused significant destruction, especially in Tulkarem, whose governor described the raids as “unprecedented” and a “dangerous signal.”
The Palestinian health ministry said 12 Palestinians were killed on the first day of the operation.
The Palestinian Prisoners’ Club said at least 45 people had been arrested in the West Bank since the start of the Israeli operation.
The United Nations expressed concerns about the situation.
UN chief Antonio Guterres, in a statement, called for an “immediate cessation of these operations.”
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