Israeli West Bank Raids Enter Second Day: A Look at the Ground Reality

 Death toll rises to at least 14; Islamic Jihad commander killed; UN demands immediate halt to violence…

Palestinians gathered at the site of an Israeli strike in
Gaza City yesterday, while efforts to initiate a polio
immunization campaign were delayed due to ongoing
conflict. The violence in Gaza has resulted in at least 34 deaths.

Gaza City, August 29, 2024

The toll continues to rise as Israel conducts a large-scale military operation in the occupied West Bank for the second consecutive day, despite UN concerns that these actions are worsening the situation. The operation, described by Israel as a "counter-terrorism" effort, is concentrated in the northern West Bank cities of Jenin, Tubas, and Tulkarem. Israeli forces, supported by troops and warplanes, have encircled refugee camps in these areas and engaged in firefights with Palestinian militants. The military reported that five militants were killed in Tulkarem yesterday, raising the total death toll to 14 since the operation began.

The Palestinian militant group Islamic Jihad confirmed the death of Muhammad Babble, also known as Abu Shujaa, a leader in the Nur Jokes refugee camp in Tulkarem. The violence has caused significant destruction, particularly in Tulkarem, where the governor described the strikes as "unprecedented" and a "dangerous sign." AFPTV footage showed tractors tearing up asphalt in Tulkarem, and extensive damage was reported to infrastructure, including water and sewage systems. The Palestinian health ministry reported that 12 Palestinians were killed on the first day of the operation.

Israeli forces have also withdrawn from Al-Farra refugee camp in Tubas, where several Palestinians were killed. Clashes were reported in Jenin, where a drone was spotted overhead, and Israeli soldiers were active in Tulkarem. The Palestinian Detainees' Club reported that at least 45 people had been arrested in the West Bank since the start of the operation.

The United Nations has expressed deep concern about the situation. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has called for an "immediate suspension" of the military operations and condemned the use of airstrikes on civilian targets, which he said are exacerbating the crisis in the West Bank and undermining the Palestinian Authority.

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas cut short a visit to Saudi Arabia to address the crisis, while Jordan’s King Abdullah II called for a ceasefire in Gaza to halt the spread of violence.

Since the conflict began, at least 637 Palestinians have been killed in the West Bank by Israeli soldiers or settlers, according to the United Nations. Violence has also intensified in Gaza, where the Israeli military claimed to have "eliminated dozens" of militants in recent strikes. The Hamas-run health service in Gaza reported that at least 40,602 people have been killed since October 7, with the majority being women and children.

The conflict has devastated Gaza, leading to a severe humanitarian crisis. Despite repeated Israeli evacuation orders and military actions, the UN continues to deliver aid to affected civilians and aid workers. Louise Witheridge, a spokesperson for the UN Office for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA), described the situation as "horrific," with families, including mothers and children, struggling to survive. In the latest violence, Israeli shelling killed five displaced individuals in a tent east of Khan Yunis.