Key developments:

• Israeli forces launched a "significant military operation" in Jenin, resulting in at least ten Palestinian casualties and further escalation of violence.
• The operation was characterized as a counterterrorism effort to eliminate militant infrastructure in response to increasing threats from Hamas and other groups.
• Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu stated the operation seeks to "eradicate terrorism," even as a ceasefire with Hamas attempts to stabilize the Gaza Strip.
• Reports suggest Israeli settlers have rampaged through Palestinian towns, vandalizing properties and causing additional violence.
• The situation remains tense as humanitarian conditions worsen, with thousands displaced and health facilities under siege.

In a marked escalation of violence, Israeli forces began a large-scale military operation in the West Bank city of Jenin, just days after a fragile ceasefire was established between Israel and Hamas. The operation, involving ground troops and aerial bombardment, led to the deaths of at least ten Palestinians and left over 40 injured, according to Al Jazeera.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described the military action as necessary to "eradicate terrorism" in Jenin, a stronghold of Palestinian militant groups. Defense Minister Israel Katz emphasized that the actions in Jenin marked a new strategy to prevent the resurgence of terrorist activities, claiming that these operations were essential to maintaining security for Israeli citizens.

The operation has resulted in significant destruction and displacement within Jenin, with local officials reporting that nearly 2,000 families have been forced from their homes. "The occupation army has bulldozed all the roads leading to the Jenin camp," stated Kamal Abu al-Rub, the governor of Jenin, adding that “the situation is very difficult” due to ongoing gunfire and explosions in the area.

The Israeli military has faced criticism for surrounding the Khalil Suleiman governmental hospital with heavy machinery and troops, effectively cutting off access for medical assistance. Witnesses reported that ambulances were prevented from reaching critically injured patients. Dr. Wissam Bakr, the hospital's director, described the facility being "under complete siege," creating dire conditions for both staff and patients.

In addition to the military operation, there have been reports of increased violence from Israeli settlers against Palestinian towns. Incidents of arson and property damage have been documented, raising further concerns regarding the safety of Palestinian civilians. This surge in violence has prompted international inquiries into Israeli actions and settler aggressions that have escalated since the ceasefire began.

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has called for "maximum restraint" from Israeli forces amid the rising tensions, emphasizing the need for humanitarian access to civilians caught in the conflict. Local health authorities report that over 47,000 Palestinians have been killed since the conflict reignited with Hamas' October 7 attacks. Although the ceasefire in Gaza intends to bring relief and facilitate humanitarian aid, the resurgence of conflict in the West Bank complicates the situation for both Palestinians and Israelis.

Looming uncertainties in the political landscape, with Israel grappling with domestic pressures from far-right political factions following the ceasefire deal, further complicate the already volatile situation. Prime Minister Netanyahu faces scrutiny from his coalition partners as calls for an expanded military approach in the West Bank grow louder.

The ongoing violence, although framed by Israeli officials as necessary for security, raises profound humanitarian concerns and highlights the challenges of achieving long-term peace in a deeply divided region. Continued military operations threaten to derail the current ceasefire and exacerbate the already dire conditions faced by everyday Palestinians.

For more information, visit The Guardian.