The Israeli Prime Minister said in a statement that the operation was “another step in achieving our goal of strengthening security” in the West Bank.
“We are systematically and decisively acting against the Iranian axis wherever it directs its weapons — in Gaza, Lebanon, Syria, Yemen and (the West Bank),” he added.
The Israeli military said in a statement that the operation was dubbed “Iron Wall” and that it would continue “as long as necessary.”
Jenin governor Kamal Abu al-Roub told AFP that “what is happening is an invasion of the camp.”
“It came quickly, Apache (helicopters) in the sky and Israeli military vehicles everywhere,” he added.
Following the deadly attack by Hamas on Israel on October 7, 2023 and the subsequent war in Gaza, the West Bank has seen an upsurge in violence.
Hundreds of Palestinians were killed as Israeli forces stepped up their raids, saying they were trying to stop deadly attacks by Palestinians on Israelis in the West Bank and in Israel.
Israel has built about 160 settlements, home to some 700,000 Jews, since occupying the West Bank in the 1967 Middle East war. The settlements are considered illegal under international law, although Israel disputes this.
