At least 10 Palestinians have been killed in the West Bank today, in what is being described as the largest Israeli raid on the occupied territory since the Second Intifada over two decades ago. Jets bombed cities in the West Bank and ground forces moved in late on Tuesday and early Wednesday, focused mostly on the northern parts of the occupied territory, with the cities of Tulkarem and Jenin as particular targets. Tubas and Nablus also witnessed violent incursions with at least 15 people wounded, health officials say. Meanwhile, Wiam Bakr, director of Jenin Governmental Hospital, told The New Arab that Israeli forces surrounded the hospital and prevented medical staff from entering. Military sources say the operation is expected to "last several days", The Times of Israel reported. The raid appears to be the first of its kind since the Palestinian uprising took place between 2000 and 2005, with several cities simultaneously targeted. The last similar raid, the 2002-launched Operation Defensive Shield, killed 497 Palestinians and lasted well over a month. In an alarming statement, Israeli Foreign Minister Yisrael Katz said today that Palestinians in the occupied West Bank must be displaced and pushed out of their homes. "We must deal with the threat in the same way we dealt… in Gaza, including the temporary evacuation of residents and any necessary steps. This is a war on everything, and we must win it," Katz said. The assault also comes just weeks after Israel approved the largest seizure of land in the West Bank in over 30 years.
