The Israeli West Bank attacks refer to the military operations, forced displacements, and assaults carried out by Israel in the West Bank following the signing of the Gaza Ceasefire Agreement on January 19, 2025. These attacks have been particularly concentrated in areas such as Jenin, Tulkarm, Tubas, Ramallah, Bethlehem, and Hebron, resulting in the deaths of hundreds of Palestinians and the forced displacement of tens of thousands. The United Nations (UN) and international human rights organizations have condemned these attacks as violations of international law.

_{Destruction caused by Israeli attacks on Jenin, February 13, 2025 - Anadolu Agency}

Background

After the ceasefire agreement in Gaza on January 19, 2025, Israel escalated its military operations in the West Bank, targeting Palestinian resistance groups. On January 21, the Israeli army launched an offensive named "Iron Wall" in the northern West Bank city of Jenin.

These attacks rapidly expanded, reaching Tulkarm on January 27 and Tubas' Faria Refugee Camp and the town of Tammun on February 2. The Israeli army announced its withdrawal from Tammun on February 8 and from Faria Refugee Camp on February 13; however, Israeli attacks have continued in areas such as Tulkarm, Jenin, Ramallah, and Hebron.

Additionally, the Israeli government has drafted a bill proposing to rename the West Bank as "Judea and Samaria." The Palestinian Authority and the international community have interpreted this move as a step toward the annexation of the region.

Major Waves of Attacks and Incidents

Jenin Operations

On January 21, 2025, under the operation "Iron Wall," the Israeli army launched a large-scale attack on the Jenin Refugee Camp. At least 25 Palestinians were killed in the attack. The Mayor of Jenin stated that Israeli forces had forcibly displaced 20,000 Palestinians. Israeli soldiers destroyed water, electricity, internet infrastructure, and roads in Jenin and demolished buildings with explosives.

Attacks in Tulkarm and Nur Shams Refugee Camp

Starting from January 27, 2025, the city of Tulkarm and surrounding refugee camps also became targets of Israeli attacks. Israeli forces used explosives to demolish Palestinian homes and launched anti-tank weapons in the Nur Shams Refugee Camp. Doctors Without Borders reported that 38,000 Palestinians were forcibly displaced due to ongoing Israeli attacks in Jenin and Tulkarm. Israeli soldiers killed a pregnant woman and an 11-year-old child in Nur Shams Camp. Palestinian civilians reported that Israeli troops raided homes, forcibly evacuated residents, and arrested some individuals.

_{An Israeli army attack on Nur Shams refugee camp in the West Bank, February 9, 2025 - Anadolu Agency}

Operations in Tubas and Tammun

On February 2, Israeli forces launched operations in Tubas' Faria Refugee Camp and the town of Tammun. In Tubas, Israeli soldiers forcibly evacuated 60 Palestinian families and converted buildings into military barracks. Before withdrawing from the region, the Israeli army left behind extensive destruction and damage.

_{Israel's destruction of Faria Refugee Camp in Tubas, February 12, 2025 - Anadolu Agency}

Settler Attacks and Land Seizures

While Israeli military operations continued in the West Bank, Israeli settlers also carried out attacks on Palestinian villages, damaging Palestinian civilians, their properties, and farmlands.

Israeli settlers, seizing Palestinian lands, cut down olive and apple trees belonging to Palestinians in the village of Battir, west of Bethlehem in the occupied West Bank. Violence by Jewish settlers against Palestinian villages has intensified. On February 13, 2025, an attack on the village of Mugayyir, east of Ramallah, resulted in five Palestinians being wounded by live ammunition. In Duma village, north of Nablus, at least four Palestinians were injured, and seven homes were set on fire.

Illegal Jewish settlers also attacked Palestinian vehicles in Ayn Sinya, Kafr ad-Dik, and Deir Ballut, causing significant damage. In northern Jordan Valley, settlers set fire to two homes, rendering 66 Palestinians homeless.

With the support of Israeli soldiers, these attacks have become organized. The Chairman of the Palestinian Anti-Wall and Settlements Commission, Mueyyed Shaaban, revealed that Jewish settlers have been armed with over 16,000 weapons and trained by the Israeli government to carry out attacks on Palestinian villages.

Arrests and Forced Displacements

The Israeli army has also carried out mass arrests in the West Bank. Throughout January 2025, a total of 580 Palestinians were detained, including 17 women and 60 children. Since October 7, 2023, the total number of Palestinians arrested in the West Bank has reached 15,500.

Israel’s Shoot-to-Kill Policy and Military Orders

As of February 10, 2025, Israel has expanded its military’s authority to open fire on Palestinians. This decision has reportedly led to an increase in Palestinian civilian deaths. Under the orders of Avi Bluth, the commander of the Israeli Central Command, Israeli soldiers are authorized to shoot any Palestinian they deem suspicious, regardless of whether they are armed or unarmed.

Current Situation of the Attacks

As of February 17, 2025, Israeli attacks in the West Bank continue, with increasing military operations and settler violence, particularly in Tulkarm, Nablus, Ramallah, and Hebron.

On February 15, 2025, three Palestinians were killed in Tulkarm’s Nur Shams Refugee Camp after Israeli forces opened fire. The Palestinian Ministry of Health identified the deceased as Jihad Mahmoud Hassan Musharika, Khalid Mustafa Sharif Amir, and Ghassan Abu Abid. Reports indicate that the Israeli army confiscated the bodies of the deceased Palestinians. Later that day, 19-year-old Adil Ahmed Adil Beshkar was killed by Israeli forces near the Askar Refugee Camp in Nablus.

In Ramallah’s Ummu Sharayit neighborhood, a Palestinian child was wounded when Israeli soldiers opened fire. Additionally, three individuals, including a woman, were arrested in Jalazone Refugee Camp. In Hebron, the Israeli military detained nine Palestinians during a series of raids. Israeli forces also stormed Palestinian-owned exchange offices and homes, seizing 600,000 shekels (approximately $170,000).

Meanwhile, the Hamas-affiliated Prisoners Media Office reported that Israeli special forces stormed Ofer Prison in Ramallah. According to the statement, Israeli troops attacked Palestinian detainees, using physical violence and tear gas. The Palestinian Commission of Detainees and Ex-Detainees Affairs and the Palestinian Prisoners’ Society have held Israel accountable for the well-being of thousands of Palestinian prisoners. Hamas condemned the incident, calling it "a crime that reflects the fascist nature of the occupation", and urged international human rights organizations to intervene to protect Palestinian prisoners.

On February 15, the Mayor of Deir Istiya reported that an Israeli settler attempted to run over Palestinian farmer Salah Mansour and damaged his crates of lemons and oranges. Israeli authorities have designated Kana Valley as a "nature reserve," effectively banning Palestinians from working there while allowing Israeli settlers unrestricted access. The following day, the Palestinian news agency WAFA reported that Israeli settlers in the Masafer Yatta region poisoned grazing lands used by Palestinian shepherds, leading to the death of 26 sheep.