Israeli Chief of Staff, Herzi Halevi, conducted a situational assessment with regional commanders and the general staff on ongoing military activities across various sectors, with a focus on developments in the occupied West Bank.
Halevi emphasized the continuation of offensive efforts to thwart terrorism and defensive measures in settlements, roads, and contact zones, as well as heightened vigilance and readiness of forces over the weekend.
He highlighted countermeasures in the Jenin area, aimed at preventing terrorist attacks like those that occurred early Saturday morning.
Earlier on Friday, Israeli authorities reported that the Israeli military had bombed the city of Jenin in the West Bank on the third day of intense fighting in Palestinian territories. The Israeli military stated that the strike targeted a “terrorist cell.”
Israel claims that the raids in northern West Bank, which have resulted in at least 19 deaths, mostly militants, since Tuesday evening, are intended to prevent attacks.
The Palestinian Ministry of Health reports that more than 650 Palestinians have been killed in the West Bank since the outbreak of the war.
In this context, United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has called for an immediate halt to the Israeli operations in the West Bank and issued a statement late Thursday urging the government to protect civilians.