Three Hamas members, including commander killed in Israeli drone strike

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

Alongside Hazem, two other Hamas members, attempting to flee the vehicle they were 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 significance 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 came to a stop. 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 confrontation was evident in the bullet-ridden, burnt-out vehicle left behind.

This operation is part of a broader 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 fighter groups in the region. In addition to combat operations, Israeli armoured bulldozers have been deployed to destroy roadside bombs planted by Palestinian fighter groups.

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

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

In a summary of its operations, the Israeli military stated that 20 fighters had been killed through both firefights and airstrikes, and a further 17 suspects linked to terrorist activities had been apprehended. Since the October 2023 attack by Hamas on Israel, which triggered the ongoing Gaza war, more than 660 Palestinians, including combatants and civilians, have been killed in the West Bank. Some of these deaths have been caused by Israeli troops, while others have been attributed to Jewish settlers who have attacked Palestinian communities in the region.

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

On Friday, the British government expressed its "deep concern" over the Israeli military's actions in the West Bank, urging an immediate de-escalation.

While acknowledging Israel's right to defend itself, the British government criticised the methods employed, particularly reports of civilian casualties and the destruction of infrastructure. The call for de-escalation comes as the region continues to witness a surge in violence, further complicating efforts for peace and stability in the area.