Israeli Forces Kill Hamas Leader in Jenin Amidst Escalating West Bank Operation

The Israeli military has announced the killing of a prominent Hamas leader, Wissam Khazem, along with two other fighters, as part of a major operation in the occupied West Bank that has now entered its third day. The operation, one of the largest in the region in two decades, continues to escalate tensions and raise international concern.

According to a statement from the Israeli security forces, Wissam Khazem was shot dead, followed by air strikes that targeted the other two fighters as they attempted to flee. The Palestinian health ministry confirmed the deaths, stating that the three men were killed overnight near the town of Zababdeh, southeast of Jenin. Hamas also acknowledged the deaths of its members.

Gunfire and explosions continued to echo through Jenin on Friday, while Israeli forces withdrew from Tulkarm and its refugee camps. The military has not officially confirmed the withdrawal, though it reported killing five members of armed groups in Tulkarm on Thursday, including their local leader.

The Palestinian health ministry reports that at least 19 Palestinians have been killed since the start of the Israeli operation. Most of those killed have been identified as fighters, but the UN agency for Palestinian refugees (Unrwa) noted that children and a person with disabilities were among the casualties.

This spike in violence follows Hamas's deadly attack on Israel on October 7 and the subsequent war in Gaza. Hundreds of Palestinians have been killed as Israeli forces intensified their raids, aiming to curb deadly Palestinian attacks on Israelis in the West Bank and Israel.

On Friday morning, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), Shin Bet domestic security agency, and Israel Border Police issued a joint statement confirming the death of Wissam Khazem during an operation in the Jenin area. The statement alleged that Khazem was responsible for directing shooting and bombing attacks. Shortly after Khazem's death, an IDF aircraft targeted and killed two additional fighters, Maysara Masharqa and Arafat Amer, who were reportedly involved in shooting attacks.

The Palestinian health ministry reported that the bodies of the three men were taken away by Israeli forces. Residents of Zababdeh discovered a burned-out car riddled with bullet holes and reported two drone strikes. Hamas's armed wing, the Izzedine al-Qassam Brigades, confirmed that Khazem was a leader in Jenin camp and that Masharqa and Amer were members.

Israeli forces continued their operation in Jenin for a third consecutive day, with Palestinian news agency Wafa reporting that soldiers raided the al-Ansar mosque in the urban Jenin refugee camp. Meanwhile, residents of Tulkarm and its refugee camps assessed the damage to homes and infrastructure following the withdrawal of Israeli forces.

"There's no difference between us and Gaza, we're the second Gaza," Nayef Alajma told AFP news agency in Nur Shams camp.

The Israeli military reported on Thursday that it had killed "five terrorists who were hiding in a mosque," including Mohammed Jaber, the leader of the local Tulkarm Brigade affiliated with Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ). Wafa reported four Palestinians killed during the 48-hour operation.

The head of Unrwa, Philippe Lazzarini, stated that tens of thousands of people in four refugee camps had been affected by the raids, leading to the suspension of services in several camps.

As the war in Gaza continues, the Israeli operation in the West Bank is causing international alarm. The UK expressed deep concern over the methods employed by Israel and the reports of civilian casualties and infrastructure destruction. A Foreign Office spokesperson stated, "The risk of instability is serious and the need for de-escalation urgent."

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres warned on Thursday that the raids were "fuelling an already explosive situation."

The escalating conflict underscores the urgent need for diplomatic efforts to de-escalate tensions and prevent further loss of life.