Israeli raid injures four, detains 28 in West Bank; Gaza bombed

Israeli military operations escalated on Wednesday with a raid in the occupied West Bank that left four people injured and 28 detained, while simultaneous attacks struck Gaza in breach of the current ceasefire. The Palestinian Red Crescent Society reported the injuries occurred after soldiers beat Palestinians during the incursion into Jaba, south of Jenin.

West Bank Raid Details

Witnesses stated that Israeli troops conducted searches in dozens of homes during the raid in Jaba, interrogating residents on-site. The detention of 28 individuals is part of a near-daily pattern of Israeli arrest operations across the West Bank, which have intensified since October 2023. These operations frequently lead to clashes and arrests, contributing to rising tensions in the territory.

Ceasefire Violations in Gaza

Despite a ceasefire that has been in effect since October 10, Israeli artillery and airstrikes targeted several locations across the Gaza Strip. Witnesses reported strikes near the al-Fakhoura School, sheltering displaced people west of Jabalia, and in areas east of Jabalia still under Israeli military control. Further shelling was reported in Gaza City's al-Tuffah neighborhood, central Gaza, and east of the al-Maghazi refugee camp. In southern Gaza, airstrikes and helicopter gunfire hit Rafah. Casualty figures from these latest strikes were not immediately available.

Broader Toll of the Conflict

According to Gaza's Health Ministry, Israeli attacks have killed at least 414 people and injured 1,145 others since the ceasefire began. The overall death toll from the Israeli offensive since October 2023 exceeds 71,000, with more than 171,000 injured, leaving vast destruction. The United Nations estimates reconstruction costs at approximately $70 billion. The ongoing violence underscores the fragility of the truce and the profound humanitarian crisis, a situation that prompts continued calls for a permanent ceasefire and accountability from the international community, including from nations like Türkiye which advocate for a two-state solution and sustained humanitarian aid.