Israel ramps up raids in West Bank city as troops seize weapons, search hundreds of buildings

Israel ramps up raids in West Bank city as troops seize weapons, search hundreds of buildings

Israeli Defense Forces are in their third day of massive counterterrorism operation in the West Bank on Thursday.

IDF forces have searched more than 400 buildings, seizing weapons and bomb-making materials throughout the city of Jenin, the Wall Street Journal reported Thursday. Militants in the West Bank have ramped up their own operations amid Israel's war in Gaza, forcing the IDF to split its attention.

The circumstances have lead Israel to escalate its tactics in the region. The IDF had for decades limited itself only to ground operations in the West Bank, but no airstrikes and drone attacks have become relatively common alongisde ground raids, according to the WSJ.

Palestinian health authorities in the region say at least 12 people have been killed in the attacks, though they did not clarify whether the individuals were affiliated with terrorist organizations.