Undercover Raid in West Bank Hospital: Israel’s Commandos Target Palestinian Militants
Israel acknowledged the involvement of undercover commandos in a raid on a occupied West Bank hospital, resulting in the deaths of three Palestinian militants. This incident signals a potential expansion of Israel’s conflict with Hamas in Gaza to other fronts.
The Israeli military claimed that the raid at Ibn Sina hospital in Jenin targeted militants who were using civilian areas and hospitals as shelters, emphasizing the tactic of using “human shields.” CCTV footage from the hospital raid showed around a dozen troops, some disguised as women and others as Palestinian medical staff, carrying rifles through a corridor.
Israel Defense Forces/Handout via REUTERS
Hamas reported that one of the deceased at the hospital was a member of the group, while the allied faction Islamic Jihad stated that the other two killed were brothers and members of their organization. The hospital confirmed that one of the brothers had been receiving treatment for a leg injury that left him paralyzed.
Israel’s military argued that the targeted individual, identified as Mohammed Jalamneh, 27, from Jenin, had connections with Hamas headquarters abroad and was planning an attack inspired by the earlier Hamas rampage in southern Israel on October 7. This attack had prompted Israel to launch its assault on Gaza.
Since the Gaza war began, the conflict has spread to the West Bank, an area crucial to the Palestinians’ vision of a future independent state. The hospital raid, in particular, has the potential to escalate tensions and contribute to a more intense phase of unrest.
The Israeli military reported that, since the outbreak of the Gaza war, approximately 26,637 Palestinians have been killed, with at least 65,000 others wounded by Israeli military strikes. Israel claimed that its forces have killed around 9,000 Palestinian combatants in Gaza, while 221 of its soldiers have lost their lives in the fighting.
Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh announced that the group had received a ceasefire proposal after talks in Paris and would study it. Haniyeh emphasized that ending Israel’s military offensive and a complete withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza were the group’s priorities.
The ongoing conflict has led to a severe humanitarian crisis in Gaza, with large areas flattened, hundreds of thousands of people left destitute, and essential supplies such as food, water, and medicines nearly exhausted.
In the northern Gaza Strip, Israeli forces engaged in battles with Hamas fighters, causing more Palestinian residents to flee to safer areas. Additionally, southern parts of Gaza experienced Israeli air strikes. The conflict’s impact has been felt in various areas, including the Beach refugee camp and near Al Shifa hospital.
In the south, Israeli forces maintained pressure in the city of Khan Younis, encircling the two main hospitals. Palestinian health officials reported at least 10 Palestinians killed in separate Israeli air strikes in Khan Younis and Deir Al-Balah, with concerns raised about the safety of patients, medical teams, and displaced individuals within healthcare facilities.
The conflict also spilled beyond the region, with the United States weighing its response to a drone attack by Iran-backed militants that resulted in the death of three U.S. soldiers in Jordan. White House National Security spokesman John Kirby emphasized the U.S. commitment to taking “all necessary actions” to defend its forces, expressing a desire to avoid a wider war but acknowledging the necessity of responding to the situation.
Iran, purportedly linked to the drone attack, denied any involvement. The incident further complicates the regional dynamics and adds another layer of complexity to the broader geopolitical landscape.
As the conflict continues to unfold, the international community faces the challenge of addressing the escalating violence, humanitarian crises, and the potential for a wider regional impact. The situation demands a concerted effort to find diplomatic solutions and alleviate the suffering of civilians caught in the crossfire.
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