IDF kills six in West Bank strike as Gazans return to destroyed homes

An attack by the Israeli military in the occupied West Bank has hit the Jenin refugee camp leaving six people dead and dozens wounded, according to the Palestinian Health Ministry.

The strike occurred on Tuesday, coinciding with the third day of a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip.

The Israeli military stated that the operation was part of a “counterterrorism effort” in the area, though the identities of those killed remain unclear.

Jenin, a known hub for militant activity, has been frequently targeted by Israeli raids since the war began 15 months ago.

The West Bank has seen a sharp rise in violence during the Gaza conflict, with over 800 Palestinians killed in Israeli operations since Hamas’ 7 October 2023 attacks.

The Palestinian Authority, which governs parts of the West Bank, has also conducted raids in Jenin, aiming to assert its role in post-war governance.

Meanwhile, in Gaza, residents are returning to their homes following the ceasefire agreement implemented on 19 January. However, many are finding their neighbourhoods in ruins, with homes reduced to rubble and belongings buried under debris.

The United Nations reported that 915 aid trucks entered Gaza on the second day of the ceasefire, bringing much-needed supplies to the devastated territory.

In a northern Gaza neighbourhood called Tal al-Zaatar, residents are grappling with the scale of the destruction. One woman, who made her way back on foot due to the lack of transport, described her family’s home as “completely destroyed”. She said, “We just want to go back and rebuild everything. We don’t want to stay homeless. We want to return to our own house, our belongings.”

Another resident lamented the loss of her three-storey home, which she and her family had built over two decades. “Everything is destroyed,” she said. “It’s now a pile of bricks and concrete. It would take me two years to clear the debris. What are we coming back to? We can’t even put up a tent here.”

The emotional toll is equally devastating. One man questioned, “Where are we going to go now? You can’t live in Gaza anymore.” A woman added, “We feel suffocated. We can’t even cry. If we could, it would be a relief.”

The ceasefire has brought a fragile pause to the fighting, but the future remains uncertain.

US President Donald Trump recently commented on the situation, stating that Hamas appears weakened but expressing doubts about the truce’s longevity. “That’s not our war. It’s their war,” Trump told reporters.

Trump also suggested that his administration might assist in rebuilding Gaza, describing the territory as a “massive demolition site” with potential for redevelopment.

“Some beautiful things could be done with it,” Trump said, highlighting Gaza’s coastline, weather, and location. However, for the residents of Tal al-Zaatar and beyond, the immediate focus is on survival and rebuilding amidst the overwhelming destruction.

As Gazans sift through the ruins of their homes, the international community watches closely, hoping the ceasefire holds long enough to allow recovery and peace to take root.