The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) launched on January 21 a security operation in the city of Jenin in the northern part of the occupied West Bank, amid the ceasefire in the Gaza Strip.
In a brief joint statement, the IDF and Shin Bet security agency confirmed the operation, dubbed “Iron Wall,” and said further details would be provided later. Hebrew media reported that large numbers of troops, including special forces, Shin Bet agents and Border Police officers, were operating in the city.
The goals of the operation were to “preserve the IDF’s freedom of action” in the West Bank, neutralize “terror infrastructure and eliminate imminent threats,” according to Israeli military sources, which said that the operation would last at least several days.
The operation began with a series of drone strikes on Jenin. In addition, footage published by Palestinian media showed Israeli Air Force helicopters flying over the city, which is known to be a key hub for Palestinian armed factions.
West Bank health officials said that at least nine people were killed and many more were wounded in the first hours of the operation.
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| Palestinian Fadi Al-Saadi reacts next to the body of his brother Abdel-Wahab, who was killed in an Israeli raid, in Jenin, in the Israeli-occupied West Bank 21 January 2025 (Reuters/Raneen Sawafta) |
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the operation was “another step in achieving the goal we set, strengthening security” in the West Bank.
“We are operating in a systematic and decisive way against the Iranian axis wherever it sends its arms, in Gaza, Lebanon, Syria, Yemen and Judea and Samaria,” Netanyahu said in a statement released by his office.
Just a day earlier, IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi said that the military was preparing for “significant operations” in the West Bank, amid the ceasefire in Gaza which was brokered by the United States, Egypt and Qatar.
“Along with the intense defense preparations in the Gaza Strip, we must be prepared for significant operations in Judea and Samaria in the coming days in order to preempt and catch the terrorists before they reach our citizens,” he said during an assessment, in remarks released by the IDF.
On the same day, an Israeli reservist soldier was killed and four others were wounded, including a senior officer in serious condition, when they were hit by a roadside bomb in the northern West Bank.
Hundreds of Palestinian security prisoners are due to be released to the West Bank in the hostage deal and ceasefire with the Hamas Movement in Gaza, which entered into effect on January 19.
The West Bank has seen a sharp rise in violence since the Gaza war was sparked on October 7 of 2023. Since then, some 6,000 wanted Palestinians have been arrested by Israeli authorities. In addition, more than 858 West Bank Palestinians have been killed during the same period.
On Israel’s side, 54 people, including Israeli security personnel, have been killed in attacks within Israel and in the West Bank.
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