Israel launched a military operation in the northern part of the West Bank, raiding several towns

Israel has launched a new military operation in the northern part of the West Bank, and the Israeli army has raided several towns.

AFP quoted a joint statement released by the Israeli military, police and the General Security Directorate (Simbeit) on Wednesday (November 26) as saying that after receiving intelligence about "attempts to establish terrorist strongholds", they launched a "large-scale counter-terrorism operation" in the northern part of the occupied Palestinian territory.

The military said that the operation first carried out an air strike blockade, followed by a ground "search", during which suspects were questioned and funds were confiscated.

China News Service, citing a report from the Land News, said that flyers distributed by the military in the area claimed that Israel believes the region has become a "safe haven for terrorism".

The Israeli military later issued another statement saying that this operation was aimed at countering the attempts of Palestinian armed groups to establish strongholds in the area.

Reuters reported that the Israeli army deployed military forces in Tubas Province in the northern part of the West Bank on Wednesday and ordered some Palestinian residents to evacuate their homes. Ahmed Al-Asaad, the governor of Tubas Province, said that Israeli troops, supported by helicopters, are surrounding the provincial capital, Tubas, and have set up strongposts in several blocks. He said that the Israeli army has demanded that the residents who were forced to evacuate not return until the operation ends, and it is expected that the operation may last for several days.

He told Reuters that the Israeli army has set up roadblocks and has detained at least 22 Palestinians so far. The Palestinian News Agency reported on Thursday that Israel has detained more than 70 Palestinians in Tubas Province and has beaten local residents, damaged houses and blocked roads during the raids. In addition, the Israeli military operation has also led to water supply disruptions in some areas due to damaged water pipes.

The Israeli military confirmed that this is a new military operation and not one of the ones launched in January 2025 mainly targeting Palestinian refugee camps in the northern West Bank.

Israel has been occupying the West Bank since 1967.

Reuters said that Hamas condemned Israel's latest military operation in the West Bank and called on the international community to intervene and stop the operation.