Rare Israeli airstrike targets militants in West Bank's Jenin area

The Israeli military reported an airstrike in the Jenin area of the occupied West Bank on Friday, killing three individuals it identified as militants. One of the dead was named as Qais Bitawi, described by Israel as a Hamas operative, while Palestinian Islamic Jihad claimed the three as its fighters. The strike was an uncommon use of air power in the territory, where Israeli raids are typically ground operations.

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The strike occurred on the outskirts of Jenin, with AFP photographs showing Israeli soldiers removing a body from a house under construction. Military officials said weapons were discovered in the militants' vehicle. This marked only the second Israeli air strike in the West Bank since February 2025, as such operations are typically conducted as ground raids.

The attack fell under operation "Iron Wall," a campaign launched in early 2025 targeting northern West Bank refugee camps. That operation has displaced nearly 40