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NBCJan 08
Israel Launches 'Significant' Offensive in West Bank, 9 Palestinians Killed
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Above: Paramedics intervene to a Palestinian who was wounded as a result of the Israeli soldiers' attack, after Israeli army organized raids and attacks on the Jenin Refugee Camp, in Jenin, West Bank on Jan. 21, 2025. Image copyright: Nedal Eshtayah/Contributor/Anadolu via Getty Images
The Facts
Israel launched a "significant" military operation in the northern West Bank on Tuesday, as the cease-fire in Gaza continues to hold. The offensive, which reportedly is focused on Jenin and expected to last multiple days, has so far reportedly killed at least nine Palestinians and wounded 35.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the operation's goal was to strengthen security, adding that Israel was responding to "the Iranian axis." Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich said the offensive was "for the protection of settlements and settlers."
The Spin
Pro-establishment narrative
Though Israel has a right to respond to terrorist threats, Israeli policy should not be dictated by extremists like Smotrich. Such figures only escalate an already tense situation, and Smotrich has worked to protect violent settlers. Israel must work to foster calm so that peace can eventually prevail.
Pro-Israel narrative
Now that the wars with Hamas and Gaza and Hezbollah in Lebanon have largely come to a close, Israel must focus on the terror threat in the West Bank. Iran continues to stoke the flames of conflict by smuggling weapons to terrorist groups in the West Bank, and Israel must respond forcefully.
Pro-Palestine narrative
Only days after Israel was forced to end its genocidal war in Gaza, it has launched a massive assault on the occupied West Bank. The PA, Israel's subcontractor of the occupation, has also assisted Israeli forces in their aggression against Palestinians. Indeed, given the statements of Israeli leaders, Israel seeks to treat the West Bank like Gaza, destroying civilian infrastructure and ethnically cleansing the population.
