On January 21, 2025, the Israeli Defense Forces announced the commencement of an operation in the city of Jenin, located in the northern West Bank. The military described this initiative as a "counter-terrorism" operation, although further details were not disclosed. The operation has been named "Iron Wall" by the Israeli military.
Jenin is recognized as a significant stronghold for Palestinian groups. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that the operation aims to "eradicate terrorism" in the West Bank.
The Palestinian Health Ministry in Ramallah reported that at least six individuals were killed and 35 others injured during the attack on a refugee camp in Jenin. The governor of Jenin described the incident as an assault on the refugee camp, noting the rapid deployment of Apache helicopters and fighter jets overhead.
In response to the military action, the militant group Hamas called on Palestinians in the West Bank to mobilize against the Israeli forces. Similarly, the Islamic Jihad group urged residents to resist the "criminal operation" by any means necessary, characterizing Netanyahu's statements as a declaration of "total genocide against the Palestinian people."
Palestinian security forces, who had been positioned against militant groups in Jenin for several weeks, reportedly retreated before the operation began. Their objective had been to regain control of Jenin and the camp, which is believed to house armed militant factions.
Simultaneously, on the evening of January 20, as U.S. President Donald Trump announced the lifting of sanctions imposed by Joe Biden on violent Israeli settlers during his inauguration ceremony, Israeli settlers attacked Palestinians and set vehicles ablaze near the village of al-Funduq. This attack occurred in an area where three Israelis were killed earlier this month in a shooting incident.
The Israeli operation in the West Bank commenced following a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza Strip, which began on January 19. Under the terms of this 42-day ceasefire, 33 Israeli hostages are to be released in exchange for 1,900 Palestinian prisoners. Additionally, humanitarian aid to Gaza is expected to be regularly provided and increased.
Next Saturday, Hamas is scheduled to release four Israeli female hostages, while another group of Palestinian prisoners will be freed in Israel. On the first day of the hostage release, three Israeli women were freed by Hamas, with Israel responding by releasing 90 Palestinian prisoners.