Israel Launches First Airstrike on the West Bank in 9 Months and Threatens Harsh Response

The Israeli army announced today, Tuesday, October 28, 2025, the execution of an airstrike on sites belonging to armed elements in the northern West Bank, a rare move in about 9 months.

An Israeli police spokesperson reported that "security forces killed 3 militants who were planning to carry out attacks in the Jenin refugee camp area."

According to Israeli press reports, the air force carried out the strike under the direction of the General Security Service "Shin Bet," after the forces opened fire on the militants, as part of a joint ground and air operation.

Israeli Defense Minister, Israel Katz, threatened a harsh response to any attempt by "terrorist armed organizations" to rebuild the infrastructure that was destroyed during previous operations in the northern West Bank.

Katz confirmed that the Israeli army will continue to take all necessary measures, on land and in the air, "to eliminate threats in the West Bank," adding that anyone who assists or shelters militants in Jenin will be dealt with firmly.

This airstrike is the first in the northern West Bank in about 9 months, following a large-scale military operation carried out by Israel last January, which included Jenin, Tulkarm, Tubas, and Nablus, resulting in the deaths and injuries of dozens of Palestinians and the displacement of tens of thousands.

In a related context, Palestinian media reported that Israeli forces besieged a house in the village of Kafr Dan in the Jenin area, leading to clashes between militants and the Israeli army.

On another note, Hamas confirmed, through its spokesperson Hazem Qassem, that Israel's statements regarding the movement's knowledge of the locations of the bodies of Israeli hostages in Gaza are "false," pointing to the difficulty of retrieving the bodies due to a lack of equipment.

He clarified that the movement is committed to the first phase of the agreement for the exchange of bodies and that it seeks to deliver the bodies of the detainees as soon as possible despite the field challenges.

It is noteworthy that the Red Cross recently transported the body of an Israeli hostage from the Gaza Strip, in a move that comes as part of efforts to exchange bodies between the two sides, amid attempts to de-escalate tensions in the region.