Israeli Military Prepares for Major Operation in West Bank Following Violence

The Israeli army announced on Friday its readiness to launch a major operation in the occupied West Bank following violent events that resulted in the death of one Israeli and four Palestinians. According to the army's statement, 'Following the terrorist attack that occurred earlier in the Tel region, Israeli soldiers are preparing to carry out a wide-scale anti-terror operation in this area.'

The military also delayed soldiers' vacations nationwide and deployed additional forces in the region. Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered the establishment of new settlement outposts in the West Bank and, along with Defense Minister Yisrael Katz, instructed the military to demolish the home of the attack perpetrator who killed the Israeli on Friday.

A statement from the Prime Minister's office confirmed that the decision followed consultations with Israeli Cabinet members and Defense Ministry leadership, stating that: 'Netanyahu and Katz instructed the Israeli army to demolish the attacker's home and take firm measures in villages considered terror hotspots, including weapons confiscation, work permit revocations, among other actions, and the reinforcement of units throughout Judea and Samaria (West Bank).'

Prior to this, Netanyahu vowed a 'firm response' following the Israeli's death and planned to meet security officials to 'discuss ways to respond to the deadly attack.'

Israeli Chief of General Staff Eyal Zamir ordered the deployment of additional forces in the area, emphasizing the need to 'apprehend the terrorists involved in the attack,' according to military reports.

The incident occurred near the Havat Gilad settlement and the neighboring Palestinian village of Tel, amidst escalating violence in the occupied West Bank following the outbreak of war in Gaza in October 2023.

The Palestinian Health Ministry reported the deaths of four Palestinians and injuries to four others, three severely, due to gunfire in Tel village.

An Israeli, about 30 years old, was killed near Havat Gilad, while two others, around 20 years old, were injured by gunfire and evacuated by helicopter, with one in serious condition, as reported by the 'Magen David Adom' emergency service.

Waleed Zidan, head of Tel village council, stated that around 20 Israeli settlers entered the village around 8:30 a.m. 'Villagers came out to defend their homes and properties, leading to clashes between residents and settlers,' Zidan said.

He added, 'Israeli soldiers were present and began shooting alongside the settlers... the settlers invaded the village with intentions to kill, vandalize, and set properties ablaze.'

The Palestinian Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemned what it described as 'the massacre and terrorist crime committed by colonists, in partnership with the Israeli occupation forces.'

Grieving relatives of the victims gathered at hospitals in the city of Nablus where their bodies were taken, while later reports from the Palestinian Red Crescent indicated their crews handled eight injuries, six from live gunfire, during an attack by Israeli settlers on the village of Far'ata near Qalqilya, also adjacent to Havat Gilad.

Abdul Muneim Shan'a, head of Far'ata village council, told AFP, 'Settlers, accompanied by Israeli army forces, attacked the eastern side of the village following the events in neighboring Tel village.'

He added, 'Settlers set fire to olive-planted lands near homes and a commercial facility, and when village youths tried to extinguish the fires, the army prevented them and opened fire toward them.'

Violence in the West Bank has escalated since the onset of the Gaza war, with increasing settler attacks on Palestinians and Palestinian attacks on Israelis.

Excluding East Jerusalem, about three million Palestinians live in the West Bank alongside over 500,000 Israelis residing in settlements deemed illegal under international law.

Israeli official statistics indicate at least 47 Israelis, including civilians and security personnel, have been killed in Palestinian attacks or during Israeli military operations since the Gaza conflict began. According to an AFP tally based on Palestinian Health Ministry data, at least 1,094 Palestinians, including militants and civilians, have been killed by the Israeli army or settlers in the same period.