Israel conducts airstrike in West Bank, targets 'terrorists' near Jenin

The Israeli army announced Friday it carried out an airstrike in the northern West Bank near Jenin, targeting "several terrorists." The military provided no further details on the operation.

Airstrikes are rare in the West Bank, where Israeli forces typically rely on ground operations. The army stated that the targeted attack was executed against armed Palestinian groups. This action comes amid a significant increase in violence in the West Bank since the Oct. 7 Hamas attack on Israel.

Since October 2023, at least 1,100 Palestinians have been killed in the West Bank by Israeli soldiers or settlers, according to AFP figures based on Palestinian Authority data. The Palestinian Authority reported that at least 48 Israelis have been killed in the same period by Palestinian attacks or during Israeli military operations.

Israel has occupied the West Bank since 1967. The territory is home to approximately three million Palestinians and over 500,000 Israelis living in settlements, which are considered illegal under international law.