As West Bank operation continues on day 3, Israel claims killing regional Hamas commander

On the third day of the military operation in West Bank, Israel claimed to have killed a regional commander of Hamas.

In a coordinated ground and aerial operation, Israel claimed to have killed Wassem Hazem, the Hamas commander for Jenin.

In a post on X (formerly Twitter), the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said Hazem was killed in the Sumeria area of West Bank.

Hazem was involved in carrying out and directing shooting and bombing attacks and continuously advanced terrorist activities in the Judea and Samaria area, said the IDF.

The IDF published drone footage showing a car of Israeli personnel intercepting Hazem’s. A gunbattle is seen in which Hazem is apparently killed. Following the gunbattle, two persons, apparently the surviving Hamas terrorists, are seen running away. They are then seen getting eliminated in a drone strike.

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“Shortly afterward, an IDF aircraft eliminated 2 additional Hamas terrorists who attempted to flee from the vehicle that they were inside with Wassem Hazem. Maysara Masharqa and Arafat Amer operated under the command of Wassem Hazem and took part in shooting attacks against Israeli communities,” said the IDF.

🔴 Wassem Hazem, the head of Hamas in Jenin, was eliminated during a counterterrorism operation in the northern Samaria area. He was identified alongside a terrorist cell in a vehicle in the area.

Hazem was involved in carrying out and directing shooting and bombing attacks,… pic.twitter.com/TioV7BkZhS

— Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) August 30, 2024

While the IDF on Friday said it killed three Hamas terrorists, including regional commander Hazem, it said it killed seven terrorists on Thursday.

In the three days of military operation, at least 19 Palestinians have been killed, including terrorists, according to a tally carried by AFP.

International concerns mount regarding West Bank operation

Even as Israel maintains the operation is necessary, international concerns have risen that the operation could destabilise another area at a time when the war has already destabilised the Gaza Strip.

The United Nations (UN) has warned it is “fuelling an already explosive situation” in the territory and has pressed Israel to end it.

Separately, the British government on Friday said it was “deeply” concerned by the Israeli operation in the West Bank. It urged Israel to “exercise restraint” and adhere to international law.

“We recognise Israel’s need to defend itself against security threats, but we are deeply worried by the methods Israel has employed and by reports of civilian casualties and the destruction of civilian infrastructure,” said a British Foreign Office spokesperson.

The spokesperson further stressed “the need for de-escalation urgent”.

The British government also criticised the comments of far-right Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir regarding Al-Aqsa Mosque.

“The UK strongly condemns settler violence and inciteful remarks such as those made by Israel’s National Security Minister Ben Gvir, which threaten the status-quo of the Holy Sites in Jerusalem. It is in no one’s interest for further conflict and instability to spread in the West Bank,” said the spokesperson.