Israeli air strikes, ground forces, and drones target Palestinian militants in Jenin, resulting in significant casualties as violence escalates in the West Bank
On January 21, 2025, nine Palestinians were killed and at least 35 injured during a large-scale Israeli military operation in Jenin, a stronghold for Palestinian armed groups in the occupied West Bank. The operation, codenamed “Iron Wall,” aimed to dismantle militant infrastructure and “defeat terrorism,” according to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The operation, which involved air strikes, drones, helicopters, and armoured bulldozers, followed a spike in violence in the region.
The Palestinian health ministry confirmed the casualties, including a 16-year-old boy, and the ongoing siege of Jenin’s refugee camp. Eyewitnesses reported scenes of chaos, with Israeli forces besieging the camp and bulldozers destroying streets. Additionally, several members of the local medical staff, including doctors and nurses, were injured by Israeli gunfire.
The operation comes just days after a ceasefire was brokered in Gaza, further intensifying tensions in the West Bank. The Palestinian Authority condemned the attack as an “aggressive” Israeli measure, while Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad called for escalated attacks against Israeli forces in retaliation.
Simultaneously, suspected Israeli settlers attacked two Palestinian villages, setting fire to homes and shops, leading to 21 Palestinian injuries. These incidents have drawn international attention, particularly with the recent US decision to lift sanctions on Israeli settlers, further complicating the already volatile situation.
Netanyahu stated that the operation’s primary goal was to safeguard Israeli security by eliminating imminent threats in the region. However, the offensive risks deepening the conflict in the West Bank, where violence has escalated since the start of the Gaza conflict in October 2023
