Israel plans West Bank military operation expansion after deadly clash

Israel's Defense Minister Israel Katz declared on Sunday that the military's "counter-terrorism" operations in the occupied West Bank will intensify in the coming weeks. This announcement comes after a Friday incident in the village of Tell, where a shootout resulted in the deaths of four Palestinians and two Israeli soldiers, including a prominent settler leader.

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although without surprise, that a former senior army official and now one of the opposition leaders blames West Bank settlers for the crisis in the Palestinian territory.

Katz stated that in addition to ongoing operations, the government is considering "similar measures" to target the sources of "terrorist activity." He made these remarks during the weekly cabinet meeting, as reported by Israeli media. The minister also used the opportunity to criticize opposition leader Yair Golan, a former high-ranking military official. According to The Times of Israel, Katz expressed "no surprise" at Golan's accusation that West Bank settlers are responsible for the crisis in the Palestinian territory.

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turning the West Bank, on the eve of elections, into a scene of violence that endangers human lives.

Following the Tell incident, Golan had accused Katz and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of deliberately turning the West Bank into a "scene of violence that endangers human lives" ahead of elections. Katz retorted that such statements about settlers, who he claims help protect Israeli urban centers, and soldiers, only strengthen the duty to suppress terrorism. He accused Golan of engaging in "blood libel" against the settlers, whose presence in the West Bank violates international law, according to Human Rights Watch.

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Saying such things about the settlers, who today help protect the entire population of Israel's urban centers, and saying such things about our soldiers, only increases our duty to repress terrorism.

The Israeli military labeled the confrontation between Palestinians and settlers as a "terrorist attack" and launched a large-scale operation in the West Bank over the weekend, resulting in at least 70 arrests and 100 interrogations. Violence has spread across the territory, with the city of Nablus and its surroundings being cordoned off. Additionally, at least four new "outposts" or advance posts have been established, three near Tell and one in Um Safa, north of Ramala.

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blood libel