What's happened
Over recent days, Israeli military operations in the West Bank have resulted in multiple Palestinian deaths and injuries. The Israeli army conducted large-scale raids in Nablus and Tammun, killing at least four Palestinians, including two brothers, and injuring dozens. Israeli forces also targeted a PIJ leader, arresting several others amid ongoing escalation.
What's behind the headline?
The recent Israeli military actions in the West Bank reflect a strategic escalation amid broader regional tensions. The large-scale raids, including storming Nablus' Old City and targeting specific individuals like PIJ leaders, serve multiple purposes: disrupting militant networks, asserting control, and responding to perceived threats. However, these operations also deepen Palestinian resentment and fuel cycles of violence. The classification of Nablus' Old City as a closed military zone, with restrictions on medical aid and civilian movement, exacerbates humanitarian crises. The targeted killing of a PIJ commander in Tammun indicates Israel's focus on high-value targets, but the collateral damage—civilian injuries and displacement—raises questions about proportionality and long-term stability. The ongoing expansion of settlements and demolition of Palestinian homes further complicate prospects for peace, as they undermine Palestinian claims and fuel international criticism. The recent storming of Al-Aqsa by Israeli officials, including far-right Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, signals a deliberate attempt to challenge the status quo at a highly sensitive religious site, risking further unrest. Overall, these actions suggest Israel aims to weaken militant infrastructure while risking increased regional instability and Palestinian resistance, with the potential for a broader escalation if current trends continue.
What the papers say
Al Jazeera reports on the recent Israeli raids in Nablus and the deaths of Nidal and Khaled Umairah, emphasizing the escalation and civilian casualties. The New Arab details the targeted killing of PIJ leader Rayeq Abdulrahman Basharat in Tammun, along with subsequent arrests and injuries, highlighting the ongoing military campaign and its impact on Palestinian communities. Both sources underscore the pattern of intensified Israeli operations since January 2025, including home demolitions, mass arrests, and restrictions on movement, which have contributed to a sharp rise in violence and displacement in the West Bank. While Al Jazeera focuses on the immediate aftermath of the raid and the deaths of the brothers, The New Arab provides broader context on the targeted killings of militant leaders and the strategic objectives behind these operations. The contrasting perspectives reveal a narrative of Israeli security measures versus Palestinian resistance, with both sources illustrating the deepening cycle of violence and the fragile state of stability in the region.
How we got here
Since October 2023, Israel has intensified military operations in the West Bank, coinciding with its war on Gaza. These raids aim to target Palestinian fighters but have led to widespread destruction, displacement, and casualties. The escalation follows a pattern of increased violence, home demolitions, and arrests, with Israeli authorities citing security concerns amid ongoing tensions over Jerusalem and settlements.
Go deeper
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Nablus is a city in the northern West Bank, approximately 49 kilometers north of Jerusalem, with a population of 126,132. Located between Mount Ebal and Mount Gerizim, it is the capital of the Nablus Governorate and a Palestinian commercial and cultural c
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The West Bank is a landlocked territory near the Mediterranean coast of Western Asia, bordered by Jordan to the east and by Israel to the south, west and north. The West Bank also contains a significant section of the western Dead Sea shore.
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Israel, formally known as the State of Israel, is a country in Western Asia, located on the southeastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea and the northern shore of the Red Sea.
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The Israel Defense Forces, commonly known in Israel by the Hebrew acronym Tzahal, are the military forces of the State of Israel. They consist of the ground forces, air force, and navy. It is the sole military wing of the Israeli security forces, and has