Clashes between the Palestinian movement Hamas and the Israel Defense Forces have intensified in the eastern streets of Jenin, a city in the West Bank. Al Jazeera reported that fighting resumed in this area, drawing attention to the renewed exchanges between militants and troops in the crowded lanes and alleys where control has long been contested.
Witnesses described heavy resistance as Israeli forces attempted to move through Jenin to complete a stated objective. The firefights were described as fierce, with militants and residents reporting sustained exchanges that disrupted daily life, closed businesses, and forced residents to seek shelter in safer sections of the city. The confrontation underscored the volatility of Israeli operations in major West Bank towns, where security patrols frequently intersect with civilian activity.
On the same day, Al Jazeera noted that Israeli troops were conducting a broader set of operations across several West Bank cities, including coordinated searches and street-by-street engagements. The pattern of activity pointed to a strategy aimed at disrupting militant networks while attempting to minimize collateral harm, though many residents reported significant disruption and curfews that complicated access to essentials.
The broader regional deterioration traces back to October 7, when thousands of armed supporters of Hamas crossed from the Gaza Strip into Israeli territory. They attacked civilians and took hostages in a rapidly evolving crisis. In response, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared that the country was at war and announced the launch of a ground operation intended to recover hostages and dismantle Hamas’s organizational capabilities. The unfolding events triggered widespread anxiety across neighboring communities and the international community, prompting urgent diplomatic efforts and humanitarian considerations.
In the weeks that followed, Israel restricted the flow of basic resources into the Gaza Strip, including water, food, goods, electricity, and fuel, while launching intensive bombardments aimed at degrading militant infrastructure. The measures affected millions of civilians, intensifying the humanitarian crisis and prompting calls from international organizations for pauses and aid corridors to address civilian needs amid ongoing military activity.
On November 22, a tentative agreement emerged, proposing a humanitarian pause and the possible release of some hostages. Reports indicated that negotiations were underway to facilitate the exchange, with expectations of a gradual process that would allow for the safe return of some individuals while pausing offensive actions to the extent possible within the security framework established by the parties involved.
By December 5, the Israeli Defense Forces announced the commencement of a third phase of operations within the Palestinian enclave, with surrounding movements around the city of Khan Younis becoming a central focus of activity. The new phase appeared to reflect a broader strategy to exert pressure on militant groups and to disrupt command and logistics hubs in key population centers, as assessments of risk and potential civilian impact were weighed by military decision-makers.
Earlier statements from Prime Minister Netanyahu outlined the stated aims of Israel’s war effort against Hamas, emphasizing the protection of Israeli civilians, the disruption of Hamas’s command structure, and the broader objective of restoring security in Israeli areas adjacent to Gaza. The evolving campaign was described by officials as a multi-stage operation designed to achieve strategic objectives while navigating complex regional dynamics and the humanitarian considerations raised by the ongoing conflict.