As the conflict between Israel and Palestine intensifies, Israeli military incursions into Gaza and the West Bank have continued overnight, resulting in dozens of deaths and injuries. In Gaza’s second-largest city, Khan Younis, a raid early on Wednesday led to the deaths of 12 people. Additionally, at least five Palestinians were killed, and a senior Fatah leader was arrested during overnight raids in the occupied West Bank.
During dawn, Israeli forces targeted two residential buildings in Khan Younis, where many had sought refuge after the evacuation order from the Israeli army. The attack resulted in the deaths of 12 people and left more than two dozen wounded. Multiple Israeli raids also took place in the West Bank, resulting in the deaths of at least five Palestinians. The largest raid occurred in the Jenin refugee camp, where three Palestinians were killed. The Israeli army deployed a significant number of troops and armored vehicles during the operation.
The arrest of a senior Fatah leader during the raid raised concerns among Fatah leaders in Ramallah. Since October 7, the Israeli army focused its efforts on targeting Hamas leaders and activists in the occupied West Bank. The arrest and reported mistreatment of the Fatah leader suggest a shift in the Israeli army’s strategy.
In Tulkarm, an elderly physically impaired man was killed by Israeli forces during confrontations with residents of the Tulkarm refugee camp. At least 30 people have been arrested during the raids, and the number is expected to rise as final figures are collated by the Palestinian Prisoners Society.
Violence has escalated in the West Bank amid the Israel-Hamas war, including attacks by Israeli settlers. In response, Palestinians declared a general strike across the territory to protest against the injustice, tyranny, and killing of innocent people.
Humanitarian groups have denounced Israel’s attack on the Jabalia refugee camp in Gaza and called for an immediate ceasefire. The Israeli military claimed to have targeted Hamas infrastructure in the camp, which had taken over civilian buildings. Footage from the scene showed women and children being rescued from the damaged buildings.
Heavy fighting between Palestinian fighters and Israeli forces was reported in the Zeitoun neighborhood in Gaza City. Shelling continued in northern Gaza as Israeli incursions extended to different parts of the Strip. The ongoing conflict has led to a near-total communications blackout and has made it challenging to understand the situation in the northern part of Gaza.
Since the war began, the death toll in Gaza has reached at least 8,525, including 3,542 children, surpassing the number of children killed in conflicts worldwide over the past four years. In Israel, over 1,400 people have died, mostly as a result of the deadly Hamas attack on October 7th.
The situation remains dire and calls for an immediate resolution to prevent further loss of life. The international community continues to monitor the conflict, urging both sides to engage in dialogue and work towards a peaceful resolution.
