The Israeli military continues its deadly offensive in the occupied West Bank despite widespread international condemnation from some countries and human rights groups.
At least 18 people have been killed since the start of operations across the territory, the Palestinian news agency Wafa reported on Thursday.
The Israeli military said its forces killed five Palestinian fighters on the second day of its so-called “counter-terrorism” operations.
On Wednesday, Israel launched coordinated raids in four areas in the north – Jenin, Nablus, Tubas and Tulkarm – where the army has concentrated much of its recent operations.
Armored columns entered the refugee camps of Tulkarem, Tubas and Jenin.
Stephane Dujarric, spokesman for UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, said the Israeli operations took place “in the vicinity of four hospitals” and that at least some “were surrounded,” affecting the movement of medical teams.
Guterres “calls for an immediate cessation of these operations,” a subsequent statement from his office said.
The Palestinian Center for Human Rights, Al-Haq and Al Mezan Center for Human Rights have warned of the escalation of violence in the West Bank and the use by Israeli forces of tactics the world witnessed in its war on Gaza.
In a joint statement, the human rights groups called on the international community to “immediately intervene and implement countermeasures against Israel as required by international law.”
“Our organizations warn of an escalation of violence in the West Bank, with the use of tactics that mirror those used in Israel’s genocidal campaign in Gaza, particularly attacks on hospitals and health facilities, and the use of excessive and indiscriminate force,” they said.
