Israel Targets Prominent Palestinian Militant in Major West Bank Operation
Tulkarm, West Bank — In a significant escalation of its military operations, Israel announced the killing of Mohamed Jaber, known as Abu Shuja’a, a key commander of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad's (PIJ) Tulkarm battalion. The operation, which continued into its second day, is one of the largest recent incursions into the West Bank.
On Wednesday, hundreds of Israeli troops launched extensive raids across northern West Bank cities, including Tulkarm and Jenin. The IDF described these actions as necessary to prevent terrorist attacks against Israelis. The raids involved mass arrests and fierce gun battles, with significant confrontations reported.
The IDF stated that Abu Shuja’a, who was a major figure in the PIJ, was killed inside a mosque in Tulkarm following exchanges of fire. This individual had been linked to several attacks, including a deadly shooting in Qalqilya this June.
The PIJ confirmed his death and responded with further violence, including detonating explosives and engaging Israeli forces in firefights. In addition to Abu Shuja’a, five other militants were reported killed in the operation.
The Health Ministry in Ramallah reported a rising death toll from these raids, now at 12, excluding the fatalities in Tulkarm. Reports from the region indicate that access to essential services, such as healthcare, has been severely impacted due to the ongoing military actions. Raed Yassin from the Tulkarm Red Crescent highlighted difficulties in reaching casualties due to Israeli restrictions.
In Fara’a, a refugee camp near Tubas, the IDF operation has concluded, leaving behind extensive damage. Footage from the area shows significant destruction, including damaged buildings and debris-filled streets.
This latest operation is part of a broader Israeli response to a surge in attacks originating from the West Bank, particularly its northern regions. The escalation also coincides with ongoing violence in Gaza, where the conflict has resulted in high casualties and severe humanitarian issues. The Gaza Health Ministry reports over 40,000 deaths and nearly 94,000 injuries since the beginning of the current conflict. Meanwhile, the World Food Program has temporarily suspended aid deliveries in Gaza following an attack on its convoy near an Israeli checkpoint.
The IDF has pledged to review the incident involving the aid workers and reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring the safe delivery of humanitarian aid in Gaza.