Three Israeli Soldiers Wounded in Separate West Bank Attacks

Three Israeli soldiers were wounded on Wednesday in two separate attacks in the West Bank, marking the most significant escalation in violence in the region so far this year.

In the first incident, a gunman opened fire on a military checkpoint in the northern West Bank, seriously wounding two Israeli reservists. The attacker managed to flee the scene and is currently being pursued by the Israeli military.

In the second attack, near the city of Hebron, a man rammed his vehicle into a military post. He then exited the car and stabbed a soldier before being shot. The assailant is currently in critical condition.

Since the outbreak of the Gaza conflict on October 7, 2023, intermittent clashes have also flared in the West Bank and near the Lebanese border. In recent months, the Israeli military has intensified operations in the West Bank, particularly in the cities of Tulkarem and Jenin—areas largely outside the control of the Palestinian Authority (PA). These operations have led to widespread destruction of civilian infrastructure and the deaths of hundreds, many reportedly civilians.

Disarming Palestinian armed groups has now become a central priority for PA President Mahmoud Abbas. He is scheduled to travel to Lebanon later this month to meet with leaders of Palestinian communities in refugee camps and announce the disarmament of these groups. Reports suggest Abbas is prepared to use force if residents refuse to disarm.

He is also expected to discuss with Lebanese officials the possibility of extending Lebanese governmental authority into the camps, as a means of monitoring and enforcing disarmament, something that some observers say may lead to armed conflicts in what is already a fragile situation in Lebanon.