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Israeli Military Escalates West Bank Operations Amid Gaza Ceasefire
Jenin, West Bank – The Israeli military has intensified its operations across the occupied West Bank, targeting militant groups and implementing strict roadblocks that have cut off several Palestinian communities. The escalation, dubbed Operation “Iron Wall,” coincides with the delicate ceasefire process in Gaza, which includes phased hostage releases and an eventual withdrawal of Israeli forces.
Military Campaign in Jenin
The Jenin refugee camp, long regarded as a stronghold for Palestinian militant factions, is at the heart of the operation. Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz announced that tactics from the recent Gaza conflict are being deployed to “eradicate terrorism” in the camp and prevent its resurgence.
The operation has displaced over 20,000 residents, according to Jenin Governor Kamal Abu Al-Roub, who described the camp as “under siege,” with water supplies cut and civilian access severely restricted. Israeli forces have also reinforced checkpoints across the West Bank, leaving thousands stranded. Palestinian officials reported that one woman died of a heart attack near Hebron after being delayed at a checkpoint.
The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) defended the roadblocks, calling them “a tool in the fight against terror” while allowing civilian movement.
Gaza Ceasefire and West Bank Focus
The West Bank escalation began shortly after the Gaza ceasefire was implemented, shifting Israeli military focus to the region. Right-wing Israeli officials, including Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, have declared the West Bank a key front in Israel’s broader security objectives.
Smotrich suggested that securing the region has become an official “war goal,” though this remains unconfirmed by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office. Katz accused Iran of fueling the rise in militant activity in the West Bank and vowed to dismantle militant infrastructure in areas like Jenin.
Settler Violence and U.S. Influence
The surge in military activity comes amid increased settler violence in the West Bank. The UN documented over 1,400 incidents of settler attacks in 2024. Some detained settlers have been released under the terms of the Gaza ceasefire, a move Katz said would “strengthen settlement efforts.”
Meanwhile, right-wing factions in Israel are encouraged by signals from U.S. officials aligned with former President Trump, who have advocated for Israel’s right to annex parts of the West Bank. Settler expansion continues to be a contentious issue, with over 500,000 Israelis living in settlements considered illegal under international law.
The West Bank remains a focal point of tension as Israel navigates a fragile ceasefire in Gaza and increasing international scrutiny of its actions in the occupied territories.
News
Investigation Underway After Goa Nightclub Fire Kills at Least 25
Authorities in the Indian state of Goa have opened an investigation into a nightclub fire that killed at least 25 people, including several tourists, in one of the region’s most popular party districts. Six others were injured in the blaze, which broke out shortly after midnight in Arpora, a nightlife hub about 25 kilometres from the state capital, Panaji.
Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant confirmed the death toll in a statement posted on X, saying the victims included many of the club’s kitchen staff and a small number of visiting tourists. He added that all the injured were in stable condition and receiving medical treatment. Rescue teams recovered all bodies from the site.
Early reports from local police, cited by the Press Trust of India, indicated that a gas cylinder explosion triggered the fire. Witnesses, however, told the agency that the blaze appeared to start on the club’s first floor, where nearly 100 tourists were dancing at the time. As smoke and flames swept through the building, many people ran toward the lower floor, where they became trapped along with staff members.
Sawant said a formal inquiry would determine the exact cause and whether the club complied with fire safety regulations. He pledged strict action against anyone found responsible, writing on X that any negligence uncovered by investigators would be “dealt with firmly”.
Eyewitnesses described scenes of panic as patrons attempted to flee the burning building. “We rushed out of the club only to see that the entire structure was up in flames,” said Fatima Shaikh, who was inside when the fire began.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi offered condolences in a message on X, calling the incident “deeply saddening” and wishing the injured a swift recovery.
Local media reported that the club’s location along the Arpora River backwaters posed challenges for emergency crews. A narrow approach road forced fire engines to park about 400 metres from the entrance, slowing their response. Reports also revealed that the building had previously received a demolition notice after officials found it lacked a construction permit. That order was later withdrawn by senior state authorities, according to Arpora councillor Roshan Redkar.
Incidents involving gas cylinders and electrical faults are not unusual in India and often lead to heavy casualties, prompting renewed calls for stronger enforcement of safety standards. Opposition leader Rahul Gandhi criticised the tragedy as a “criminal failure of safety and governance” and urged a transparent investigation to establish accountability and prevent future disasters.
The probe into the fire is expected to assess structural safety, emergency exits and compliance with existing regulations as authorities work to piece together how the late-night gathering turned into one of the deadliest incidents in the state in recent years.
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