Israel embarked on an extensive military operation in the West Bank, specifically targeting Jenin, a city known for its militancy, amid rising tensions in the region. The operation was announced shortly after President Trump rescinded sanctions on Israeli settlers and Jewish extremists who were critical of a Gaza cease-fire deal.
The Palestinian Authority reported that eight people were killed and at least 35 injured during the first hours of the military operation. The Jenin raid is the latest in a series of West Bank raids by Israel over the past year, with analysts warning that Hamas’s weakened state has led to an increased focus on the West Bank.
Hamas, which survived a devastating war despite Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s vows to destroy it, has been seeking to ignite another front against Israel. The group is believed to be supplying militants in the West Bank with funds and sophisticated weapons, prompting Israeli officials to warn of a potential escalation.
President Trump’s administration has been criticized for sending mixed signals on the conflict, as his decision to rescind sanctions on far-right groups accused of violence against Palestinians was met with widespread condemnation. The move is seen as an attempt by Netanyahu’s government to distract from the Gaza cease-fire deal.
The cancellation of sanctions coincided with a second consecutive night of violence in the West Bank, as extremist settlers protested the cease-fire. Settler leaders have vowed to disrupt Palestinian prisoners’ release under the terms of the Gaza deal, labeling such attacks as Jewish terrorism.
Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/01/21/world/middleeast/israel-trump-settlers-west-bank-gaza.html