Israeli army readies ‘major’ West Bank ops, resumption of Gaza, Lebanon wars
Over a dozen Palestinians were killed in violent Israeli airstrikes on the occupied West Bank city of Jenin last week
The Israeli army’s Chief of Staff, Herzi Halevi, said on 20 January that Israel must prepare for “major” operations in the occupied West Bank and the continuation of fighting in both Gaza and Lebanon – despite the ceasefire agreements.
“Alongside the intensive defensive preparations in the Gaza Strip, we must be prepared for major operations in [the West Bank] in the coming days in order to preempt the terrorists and capture them before they reach our citizens,” Halevi said during an assessment, according to an Israeli army spokesman.
The spokesman said Halevi also “ordered the formulation of plans for the continuation of the fighting – also in the Gaza Strip and Lebanon."
The statement follows the killing of an Israeli soldier and the wounding of four others overnight after an explosive device was detonated near their convoy during a patrol in the northern West Bank town of Tamun.
An Israeli was stabbed to death and four others wounded in a resistance attack in Tel Aviv on 18 January, carried out by a young Palestinian from the occupied West Bank city of Tulkarem. He was shot dead by Israeli forces shortly after carrying out the operation.
Last week, over a dozen Palestinians were killed in violent Israeli airstrikes on the Jenin camp in the West Bank. The Palestinian Authority (PA) had been waging a violent campaign on behalf of Israel against the resistance in Jenin, which began last month and went on for about six weeks.
The PA has reached an agreement with the resistance in Jenin to end the siege.
In the Gaza Strip, several people, including a child, were injured by Israeli gunfire in the southern city of Rafah – despite the start of a ceasefire and exchange process. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in a speech over the weekend that the truce was temporary and that Israel would return to war if need be.
His Finance Minister, Bezalel Smotrich – who opposed the ceasefire deal – said on Saturday that he has been given assurances that Israel will resume the war and launch a “gradual takeover of the entire Gaza Strip.”
Meanwhile, Israeli forces continue to violate the ceasefire in Lebanon that took effect in November last year, closing off roads in the south, destroying infrastructure, and preventing the Lebanese army from carrying out its work to implement the deal, which is based on UN Resolution 1701.
Halevi’s comments come less than a week before the 60-day ceasefire implementation period is set to finish in Lebanon. During this period, the Lebanese army is required to dismantle Hezbollah’s presence and infrastructure south of the Litani River, and all Israeli forces must completely withdraw from southern Lebanon.
Hezbollah has vowed to confront Israel – which has violated the ceasefire over 1,000 times – if it fails to withdraw before the 60 days are up.