IDF launches counter-terrorism operation in the West Bank

The Israeli army has launched a counter-terrorist operation in the West Bank city of Tulkarm. The army's press service said on January 27.

"The Israel Defense Forces, ISA and Israel Border Police forces launched a counterterrorism operation in Tulkarm," reads the message published in the Telegram channel.

In addition, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) Spokesperson's Office said that on the same day, a commander of the Palestinian radical Hamas movement Ihab Abu Ativi was eliminated by an airstrike during a joint IDF and Israel Security Agency (ISA) anti-terrorist operation.

"His elimination is part of intensive counter-terrorism operations being carried out against terrorist networks in northern Samaria," the report said.

Contributing to the freeze: how the truce between Israel and Hamas will work and how long it will last

On the first day of the deal, the Palestinian movement freed three hostages

Earlier on Jan. 19, the first phase of a ceasefire between Israel and the Palestinian radical Hamas movement went into effect. During the first phase of the 42-day deal, 33 Israeli hostages and some 1,900 Palestinians are to be released. On the same day, the movement released three hostages in exchange for 90 Palestinian prisoners, and on January 26, four military girls were handed over to the Red Cross.

On January 27, Hamas Politburo Deputy Chairman Musa Abu Marzouk announced the organization's readiness to engage in dialogue with U.S. authorities.

The agreement on a ceasefire in Gaza became known on January 15. The next day, the Defense Ministry and the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) began preparations to implement the agreements, which the Israeli government approved on January 17 following a six-hour meeting.

The situation in the Middle East escalated on the morning of October 7, 2023, when Hamas launched a massive rocket attack from the Gaza Strip into Israel. On the same day, Israel began to launch retaliatory strikes.