Israeli forces withdraw from West Bank after 10-day assault

However, Israeli military suggests that broader counterterrorism operation was not yet complete

Israeli forces have withdrawn from three refugee camps in the occupied West Bank, including Jenin, Tulkarm, and Al-Faraa, following a 10-day military operation aimed at curbing militant activity.

The operation, described as the deadliest in the West Bank since the start of the Israel-Hamas war, left at least 36 Palestinians dead and caused widespread destruction to infrastructure, according to Palestinian health officials.

The Israeli military had launched the offensive in response to what they described as increasingly sophisticated attacks against Israeli civilians.

The Jenin refugee camp, a known stronghold of Palestinian militants, was a primary target of the operation.

Israeli officials stated that most of those killed were militants, but the heavy fighting had a severe impact on the civilian population, with water, electricity, and communication services disrupted, and roads heavily damaged.

By Friday morning, Israeli armored vehicles were seen withdrawing from Jenin, and reports indicated that forces had also pulled out of Tulkarm and Al-Faraa camps.

However, the Israeli military suggested that the broader counterterrorism operation was not yet complete.

Palestinian residents in Jenin began assessing the damage left behind, with significant destruction to homes and infrastructure.

Local officials reported that over 25 kilometres of roads and neighbourhoods had been completely destroyed in the area.

The military action comes amid heightened tensions in the region, exacerbated by ongoing Israeli operations in Gaza.

Since October 7, Israel’s offensive in Gaza has resulted in over 40,900 Palestinian deaths, with the West Bank also witnessing increased violence, leading to the deaths of at least 691 individuals.

Efforts to rehabilitate the destroyed infrastructure have begun, but fears remain among residents that the Israeli military could return for further operations, as has occurred in the past.