Iran Seeks To Expand Violence In West Bank And Beyond

The Israeli general in charge of troops in the West Bank says Iran seeks to instigate violence and terror in the region.

Yehuda Fuchs, who commanded the Gaza Division of Israel Defense Forces, told Iran International’s correspondent on Thursday that the Islamic Jihad and Hamas militia groups operate in the West Bank with the financial support of the Islamic Republic. 

Undeterred, he said Israel will take action against whoever engages in terrorist acts against it no matter where they are and how complicated that would be.

Israel sent drones to strike targets in a militant stronghold in Jenin early Monday and deployed hundreds of troops in the area. The attack set off a gunbattle lasting into the morning. Israeli troops have remained inside the Jenin refugee camp. 

The incursion took place two days after the Islamic Jihad's Secretary-General Ziyad al-Nakhala said that anti-Israeli actions in the West Bank reflect Iranian Supreme Leader’s directives.

However, several Israeli officials and military commanders have said that the attack is only to target the proxy militias of the Islamic Republic and that they are not there to engage with Palestinian civilians.

The operation will reportedly end in a few days following the Israeli forces discovering underground storage areas containing weapons stockpiles and the IDF arresting 120 Palestinian suspects while the Palestinian militants, who had barricaded themselves inside the mosque, apparently fled or are hiding on the outskirts of the Jenin refugee camp compound.

At least 10 Palestinian terrorists have been killed in the operation and another 30 injured.