The Israeli military has launched a new counterterrorism operation in the northern region of the occupied West Bank, as revealed in a statement made on Wednesday by both the military and the internal security service. This operation is specifically aimed at what officials refer to as the northern Samaria area, utilizing a term rooted in biblical history.
In a clarification to AFP, the Israeli army emphasized that this operation marks a fresh initiative, separate from a previous counterterrorism campaign initiated in January, which mainly focused on Palestinian refugee camps.
The announcement comes amid escalating violence in the West Bank, a territory under Israeli occupation since 1967. This surge in conflict has been exacerbated by the recent war following the Hamas attack on Israel in October 2023. Despite a fragile ceasefire that has been in place in Gaza since October 10, violence in the West Bank persists.
An AFP tally, using data from the Palestinian health ministry, indicates that since the outbreak of hostilities, Israeli soldiers and settlers have claimed the lives of over 1,000 Palestinians. This figure includes not only combatants but also a significant number of civilians. In contrast, official Israeli sources report that at least 44 Israelis—comprising both soldiers and civilians—have died as a result of clashes or military operations.
This new development in the West Bank underscores the ongoing tensions in the region, raising concerns about the future of peace and security as both sides remain caught in an escalating cycle of violence.
