Following the recent conflict in Gaza, Israel has escalated its military operations to the West Bank. This marked the largest Israeli offensive in the region since the Second Intifada, targeting eight Palestinian areas with airstrikes and ground forces. The operation, which began under the cover of darkness, saw Israeli troops and armored vehicles deployed to Jenin, Nablus, Tulkarem, Qalqilya, Turmus Ayya, and Ramallah. While Israeli helicopters and drones conducted airstrikes, checkpoints were erected, restricting access to several towns. Israeli forces surrounded hospitals in Tulkarem and Nur Shams, and conducted raids on numerous homes. Israeli bulldozers, accompanying the military, destroyed buildings and rendered roads impassable. The Hamas, a Palestinian militant group, called for resistance against Israel, urging all Palestinian factions in the West Bank to retaliate. The Palestinian Authority, led by Mahmoud Abbas, confirmed clashes with Israeli forces in the West Bank. Abbas, who was in Saudi Arabia for official engagements, cut his visit short and returned to the West Bank. The Israeli military claimed the offensive was in response to an attempted bombing in Tel Aviv on August 18th, in which a Palestinian carrying explosives was killed before reaching their target. Israel maintains the attack was planned in Tulkarem or Jenin, in the West Bank. The latest escalation in the West Bank has resulted in over 660 Palestinian deaths since October 7th.
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