Gunfire and explosions have rocked the Jenin area of the occupied West Bank as the Israeli military kept up a large-scale raid for a second day.
The operation, launched just days after a ceasefire paused more than a year of fighting in Gaza, has left at least ten Palestinians dead, according to Palestinian health authorities.
Israeli officials have said the raid is part of a broader campaign against militants in the West Bank, citing thousands of attack attempts since the Gaza war erupted in October 2023.
"The situation is very difficult," Jenin governor Kamal Abu al-Rub said.
"The occupation army has bulldozed all the roads leading to Jenin camp and to the Jenin government hospital... There is shooting and explosions," he added, referring to the Israeli military.
Israeli forces have detained around 20 people from villages around Jenin since the operation began yesterday, the official said.
An AFP correspondent reported hearing gunfire and explosions from the northern city's refugee camp, a hotbed of militancy where Israeli forces have carried out repeated raids.
In December, Jenin area militants also clashed with the security forces of the Ramallah-based Palestinian Authority.
Israel says applying lessons learned in Gaza to West Bank
Israel's defence minister said forces were applying lessons learned in Gaza as a major operation continued in Jenin.
A military spokesperson declined to give details but said the operation was "relatively similar" to but in a smaller area than one last August, in which hundreds of Israeli troops backed by drones and helicopters raided Jenin and other flashpoint cities in the occupied West Bank.
It was the third major incursion by the Israeli army in less than two years into Jenin.
Residents reported constant gunfire and explosions and Palestinian health services reported at least four wounded, after ten people were killed a day earlier.
Israeli military spokesperson Nadav Shoshani said the militants' increasing use of roadside bombs and other improvised explosive devices were a particular focus of the operation, which included armoured bulldozers to tear up roads in the refugee camp adjacent to the city.
'Decisive operation aimed at eliminating terrorists'
Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz vowed to continue the assault.
"It is a decisive operation aimed at eliminating terrorists in the camp," Mr Katz said in a statement, adding that the military would not allow a "terror front" to be established there.
The Israeli military and the Shin Bet security agency announced yesterday that, in coordination with the Border Police, they had launched an operation named 'Iron Wall' in the area.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the raid aimed to "eradicate terrorism" in Jenin.
He linked the operation to a broader strategy of countering Iran "wherever it sends its arms - in Gaza, Lebanon, Syria, Yemen," and the West Bank.
The Israeli government has accused Iran, which supports armed groups across the Middle East including Hamas in Gaza, of attempting to funnel weapons and funds to militants in the West Bank.
United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called for "maximum restraint" from Israeli security forces and expressed deep concern, according to his deputy spokesman, Farhan Haq.
Jenin and its refugee camp are known strongholds of Palestinian militant groups and Israeli forces frequently carry out raids targeting armed factions in the area.
Violence has surged throughout the occupied West Bank since the Gaza war erupted on 7 October 2023.
According to the Palestinian health ministry, Israeli troops or settlers have killed at least 848 Palestinians in the West Bank since the Gaza conflict began.
At least 29 Israelis have been killed in Palestinian attacks or during Israeli military operations in the territory during the same period, according to official Israeli figures.
Meanwhile, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio spoke with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to reiterate US support for its ally.
They also discussed Iran and Israeli hostages in Gaza, the US State Department said.
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