Three Hamas members, including commander killed in Israeli drone strike

JENIN, PALESTINIAN TERRITORY:

Israeli forces killed a prominent Hamas commander, Wassem Hazem, during a major military operation in Jenin, located in the occupied West Bank, on Friday. According to the Israeli military, Hazem, who held a senior position in Hamas, was involved in various shooting and bombing attacks in the Palestinian territories.

Along with Hazem, two other Hamas members, who tried to escape from the vehicle they were riding in, were also killed by an Israeli drone strike. The Israeli military reported the discovery of weapons, explosives and large amounts of cash in the vehicle, confirming the importance of the operation.

Hamas, through its armed wing, the Al-Qassam Brigades, acknowledged the deaths of the three men, marking another escalation in the ongoing conflict. The incident unfolded in the village of Zababdeh, just outside Jenin, where the pursued vehicle stopped. Villagers described the aftermath, with one resident, Saif Ghannam, detailing how the drone strike shattered his windows and left bloodstains where the men were killed. Israeli forces removed the bodies from the scene, but the intensity of the conflict was evident in the bullet-riddled vehicle left behind.

This operation is part of a wider campaign by Israeli forces, which began on Wednesday, targeting Jenin, Tulkarm and the Jordan Valley. The military has deployed hundreds of troops, helicopters and drones in an effort to weaken militant groups in the region. In addition to military operations, Israeli armored bulldozers have been deployed to destroy roadside bombs planted by Palestinian militant groups.

The escalation in the West Bank coincides with the ongoing conflict between Israeli forces and Hamas militants in the Gaza Strip, a battle that has raged for nearly 11 months. In addition, tensions along the Israeli-Lebanese border have risen as clashes with the Iranian-backed Hezbollah movement have intensified.

In just the first two days of the operation in the West Bank, at least 17 Palestinians have been killed, including a commander of Islamic Jihad forces.

In a summary of its operations, the Israeli military said 20 militants were killed by both gunfire and airstrikes, while another 17 suspects linked to terrorist activities were arrested. Since Hamas’ attack on Israel in October 2023, which sparked the ongoing war in Gaza, more than 660 Palestinians, including militants and civilians, have been killed in the West Bank. Some of these deaths were caused by Israeli troops, while others have been attributed to Jewish settlers who have attacked Palestinian communities in the area.

Israel claims that Iran is arming and supporting militant factions in the West Bank, leading to increased military operations in the region, which has been under Israeli occupation since the 1967 Middle East war. This has raised concern in the international community.

On Friday, the British government expressed its “deep concern” over the actions of the Israeli army in the West Bank, urging an immediate de-escalation.

While recognizing Israel’s right to defend itself, the British government criticized the methods used, particularly reports of civilian casualties and destruction of infrastructure. The call for de-escalation comes as the region continues to witness an upsurge in violence, further complicating efforts for peace and stability in the region.