Israel has claimed to have killed three militants, including a senior Hamas official, in an airstrike on a car outside Jenin on the third day of extensive military operations across the West Bank.
According to Israeli leaders, the campaign is designed to pre-empt attacks on Israelis after a suicide bombing in Tel Aviv this month, the first in eight years. However, the operations have been widely condemned by Palestinian leaders and human rights groups, who have accused Israel of using excessive force and targeting civilians.
The target of the airstrike on Friday was a local Hamas commander, Waseem Khazem, who was reportedly killed along with two other alleged Hamas members when their car was hit in a drone strike. The Palestinian health ministry confirmed that three people had been killed in Zababdeh, a town south of Jenin, but did not disclose their identities.
At least 19 Palestinians have been killed since the West Bank operation began early on Wednesday, with Hamas claiming that 10 of the dead were their fighters. The Israeli military has also detained hundreds of Palestinians, including many Hamas officials and activists, in what has been described as a “mass arrest campaign”.
The operations have involved widespread destruction, with many homes and buildings being damaged or destroyed in the raids. The Israeli military has also imposed strict curfews and travel restrictions on many areas of the West Bank, causing widespread disruption to daily life.
The killing of Waseem Khazem is seen as a significant blow to Hamas, which has been a major force in Palestinian politics and resistance to Israeli occupation. Khazem was a well-known figure in the Jenin area and was reportedly involved in several high-profile attacks against Israeli targets.
However, the Israeli military’s actions have been widely condemned by Palestinian leaders, who have accused Israel of using excessive force and targeting civilians. The Palestinian Authority has called for an immediate end to the operations and for the international community to intervene to stop the violence.
The international community has also expressed concern about the situation, with the United Nations and the European Union calling for restraint and calm. The US has also expressed concern, but has stopped short of condemning Israel’s actions.
As the situation continues to unfold, it remains to be seen how the Israeli military’s operations will affect the already fragile situation in the West Bank. One thing is certain, however: the ongoing violence and instability will only serve to further exacerbate the suffering of the Palestinian people and undermine efforts to achieve a lasting peace.
Reaction from Palestinian Leaders:
- Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas: “We condemn the Israeli military’s actions in the strongest possible terms and call for an immediate end to the operations. The international community must intervene to stop the violence and protect the Palestinian people.”
- Hamas Spokesman Fawzi Barhoum: “The killing of Waseem Khazem is a significant blow to our movement, but it will not deter us from continuing to resist the Israeli occupation. We will continue to fight for our rights and our freedom, no matter the cost.”
- Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad Shtayyeh: “The Israeli military’s actions are a clear example of the occupation’s brutality and disregard for human life. We call on the international community to take immediate action to stop the violence and protect the Palestinian people.”
