Ahmed Kamel – Egypt Daily News
Israeli forces pressed ahead Thursday with the second day of what officials describe as a large counterterrorism operation in the northern occupied West Bank, even as a fragile ceasefire continues to hold in the Gaza Strip. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said that security forces searched more than 220 locations across the Jenin and Nablus areas within a 24-hour period, questioning dozens of Palestinians and detaining several individuals alleged to be wanted fighters. Weapons, ammunition and cash were also seized, according to military statements.
The IDF said the sweeping raids conducted jointly by military, police and intelligence units could be expanded “as required,” underscoring Israel’s readiness to broaden the operation amid weeks of heightened tension across the West Bank. Israeli officials also confirmed that airstrikes were carried out overnight between Tuesday and Wednesday, marking a further escalation in an area that has seen a sharp rise in violence since early summer. At least three people were killed in the strikes; the IDF described them as “terrorists.”
The military referred to the area of operations as “northern Samaria,” the biblical-era term for the region used by Israeli authorities, covering the Palestinian cities of Jenin and Nablus, long flashpoints of unrest and home to armed groups Israel says are responsible for attacks inside Israel.
Meanwhile in Gaza, the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas remains generally intact, with Israeli forces positioned behind what officials call the “yellow line,” indicating a partial withdrawal from deeper areas of the strip. Despite the overall calm, the truce suffered a significant jolt last week when Israeli airstrikes killed dozens of Palestinians. Israel said the strikes were a response to what it claimed was a ceasefire violation by a Hamas gunman.
The humanitarian aspect of the conflict continues to complicate the delicate ceasefire. Israeli authorities say the bodies of two deceased hostages remain inside Gaza, and negotiations have been tied to the release of both Palestinian detainees and the remains of Palestinians who died in Israeli custody.
Tensions also remain high on Israel’s northern frontier. Despite a ceasefire agreement reached with Hezbollah in southern Lebanon last November, cross-border strikes have persisted. On Sunday, Israel conducted an airstrike in Beirut for the first time in months, killing Haytham Ali Tabataba’i, believed to be Hezbollah’s chief of staff. The assassination represents a significant blow to the group and adds another layer of volatility to an already fragile regional situation.
As Israeli operations intensify in the West Bank while Gaza’s ceasefire teeters and Lebanon’s border heats up, the landscape across the region remains fraught. Diplomats warn that without significant de-escalation on multiple fronts, the current cycle of violence risks widening into a broader, multitheater conflict.
