As the Israeli military’s large-scale operation in the northern West Bank, specifically targeting Jenin, Tulkarm, and Tubas, entered its second week, the death toll has reached at least 39 Palestinians. Since the offensive began on August 27, Israeli forces have intensified their assault, with Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant describing the strategy as “mowing the lawn.”, reported Al Jazeera.
The invasion has also claimed the lives of four Israeli soldiers, who were killed in separate incidents in the Hebron and Jenin governorates. In one of the deadliest incidents on Thursday, a drone strike targeted a vehicle in the occupied city of Tubas, killing five Palestinians, including the son of Zakaria Zubeidi, a prominent Palestinian figure who played a significant role in the 2002 Intifada and briefly escaped from an Israeli prison in 2021. The drone strike also left four others wounded, one of whom is reported to be in critical condition.
The situation in Hebron and surrounding towns in the southern West Bank has become dire, with the city effectively turned into a “large prison,” according to Hebron’s mayor, Taysir Abu Sneineh. Reports from Quds News Network indicate that Israeli forces have even detonated Al-Ansar Mosque within the Jenin refugee camp, further exacerbating the destruction.
The United Nations Human Rights Office in the Occupied Palestinian Territory has issued a grim update, detailing the widespread devastation caused by Israeli aerial and ground strikes, the use of bulldozers, and the exchange of fire, which have resulted in significant casualties and the destruction of critical infrastructure. The office has condemned the use of unlawful force by Israeli forces during these militarized operations and has called for an immediate end to the assault on Jenin.
The number of casualties in August alone paints a bleak picture, with 41 Palestinians killed in Israeli airstrikes, representing 44% of the total 95 fatalities from airstrikes in the West Bank for the year 2024.
In a particularly tragic incident on August 30, an 82-year-old Palestinian man was shot and killed by Israeli forces while attempting to buy bread, according to his family. Additionally, the Palestinian Red Crescent Society reported that an ambulance was fired upon in eastern Jenin, injuring a doctor and damaging the vehicle.
The ongoing military operation has also led to significant damage to Jenin’s infrastructure, with estimates suggesting that about 70% of the city’s roads and infrastructure have been affected. Efforts by multiple organizations, coordinated by the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), to assess the situation in Jenin were thwarted on September 3 when Israeli security forces denied them access, further complicating the humanitarian response.
The broader impact of the conflict is reflected in the overall toll since October 7, 2023, with 652 Palestinians killed in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem. This figure includes 146 Palestinians killed in 55 airstrikes, and 54 others who were injured in these attacks. The period has also seen a surge in violence from Israeli settlers, with over 1,300 attacks recorded against Palestinians, leading to numerous fatalities, injuries, and extensive property damage.
As the situation remains tense, international bodies and human rights organizations continue to urge an end to the violence and a reconsideration of the tactics being employed in the occupied territories. The humanitarian crisis in the region continues to deepen, with little sign of resolution in sight.
