Palestinians Accuse Israel of ‘Ethnic Cleansing’ as 70 Killed in West Bank

The office of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas condemned an Israeli operation in the occupied West Bank on Monday, labeling it as “ethnic cleansing.” According to the Palestinian Health Ministry, 70 Palestinians have been killed in the West Bank this year, with casualties including 10 children, one woman, and two elderly individuals.

Spokesman Nabil Abu Rudeineh stated that the Palestinian presidency “condemns the occupation authorities’ expansion of their comprehensive war on our Palestinian people in the West Bank to implement plans aimed at displacing citizens and committing ethnic cleansing.”

The health ministry confirmed the fatalities were caused by Israeli occupation forces. Among the dead, 38 were from Jenin, 15 from Tubas in the northern West Bank, and one was killed in Israeli-annexed East Jerusalem.

The Israeli military launched a large-scale operation on January 21 targeting Palestinian armed groups in Jenin, a region known for militant activity. In a statement, Abu Rudeineh urged the U.S. administration to intervene to stop what he called the ongoing Israeli aggression. This appeal coincides with a visit by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to Washington, where he is expected to discuss a second phase of Israel’s truce with Hamas in Gaza.

According to the Israeli army, over 50 “terrorists” were killed in the operation that began on January 21, including airstrikes the previous week. Netanyahu’s visit is expected to include discussions on the release of captives and the potential for a more permanent resolution to the conflict.