The Israeli military has reported the killing of five militants in a major operation in the occupied West Bank early Thursday, including a prominent local commander.
Mohammed Jaber, also known as Abu Shujaa, a commander in the Islamic Jihad group based in the Nur Shams refugee camp near Tulkarem, was identified among those killed. Palestinian sources have yet to confirm his death.
The operation, which began overnight into Wednesday, also led to the deaths of ten Hamas fighters, according to the group. At the same time, the Palestinian Health Ministry reported an additional fatality, though it has not been confirmed if the deceased was a fighter or a civilian.
The escalation follows increased violence in the West Bank triggered by Hamas’ attack from Gaza on October 7, which has intensified the ongoing conflict.
Nur Shams refugee camp, along with other similar camps established after the 1948 Arab-Israeli war, has become a stronghold for militant activities.
Israel captured the West Bank, Gaza Strip, and East Jerusalem during the 1967 Middle East war, and Palestinians seek these territories for a future state.
Currently, over 500,000 Israeli settlers live in more than 100 settlements in the West Bank, which are considered illegal by most of the international community.
The West Bank’s 3 million Palestinian residents live under Israeli military administration, while the Palestinian Authority oversees local governance in towns and cities.
