West Bank: large-scale IDF ‘counter-terrorism’ operation underway. Risk of escalation

According to the Red Crescent, this is the third incident of this kind reported in the West Bank since this morning. This is reported by Haaretz. Two Palestinians are in critical condition after being shot – one in the head and the other in the chest – whilst a third was wounded in the hand. A fourth person was physically assaulted and taken to hospital.

Following the attacks, the Palestinian Vice-President, Hussein al-Sheikh, reported on X that he had “urgently contacted” several Arab countries and other states, calling for protection for the Palestinian people “from terrorism perpetrated by settlers and the Israeli army”.

In the post, the vice-president cites the latest incidents of “killings, the burning of crops, the theft of livestock and the felling of trees in Tell, Deir Jarir, al-Mughayyir and Beit Furik, as well as in other Palestinian villages and refugee camps”, warning of the “serious consequences” of these “unprecedented” attacks.

“I call on the international community to take immediate action to protect our people and put an end to the attacks and acts of aggression organised by the settlers and the occupying army,” al-Sheikh appealed.

Israeli forces stormed the Nablus Specialised Hospital in the West Bank following a shootout earlier today in the village of Tell. According to reports given to the Wafa news agency by the hospital’s vice-chairman of the board of directors, Dani al-Masri, soldiers surrounded the hospital, stormed the A&E department, assaulted medical staff and handcuffed doctors and nurses.

The Palestinian movement Fatah accuses the Israeli government of being responsible for the wave of violence by settlers in the West Bank. In a statement reported by Al Jazeera, Fatah claims that ‘gangs’ of settlers, backed by Israeli forces, have carried out large-scale attacks on towns and villages, killing at least 10 Palestinians and injuring dozens. The movement believes the violence reflects a government policy of forced displacement, land expropriation and settlement expansion. Whilst the military campaign in Gaza continues, Fatah links the two fronts as part of a “single colonial project”.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defence Minister Israel Katz have stated that they have instructed the IDF to speed up the legalisation of unauthorised outposts in the West Bank and to establish new ones, following the recent clashes near Nablus. This is reported by Haaretz. Following the security cabinet meeting, the two also stated that they had ordered the demolition of the home of the Palestinian accused of killing the Israeli settler, as well as an “intensive operation” in villages they described as “terrorist strongholds”, involving the seizure of weapons and the revocation of work permits.

The Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) have announced that they are preparing to launch a “large-scale” operation in the occupied West Bank, following violence between residents and settlers that resulted in the deaths of one Israeli and four Palestinians. “Following the terrorist attack that took place earlier today in the Tell area, IDF soldiers are preparing for large-scale counter-terrorism operations in the sector,” the armed forces said in a statement, adding that they had postponed soldiers’ leave across the territory and had begun deploying forces to the area.