Israeli forces launched a large military operation in the occupied West Bank late on August 28, killing at least 10 Palestinians it claims were Hamas militants in operations in Jenin.

The operation in the West Bank was the largest in months in the area following the October 7 attacks carried out by Hamas militants, which killed more than 1,200 Israelis, Filipinos and Palestinian Arabs in the vicinity. Israel said it is rooting out West Bank militants to prevent further attacks on Israel, while locals see it as another power grab by an Israeli government on the rampage.

The Israeli military said "large forces" had entered Jenin, which Israel considers a militant stronghold, as well as Tulkarm and the Al-Faraa refugee camp. Media reports also indicated operations in Nablus and Tubas.

Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz called for a "temporary evacuation of Palestinian civilians" from the cities, stating that Israeli forces were working to dismantle a so-called "Iran-backed terrorist network" in the West Bank.

The scale of the operation is unprecedented since the Second Intifada, according to media reports. While the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) have conducted regular raids in Palestinian territories since the war against Hamas began, this marks the first time in two decades that Israeli troops have entered multiple cities simultaneously.

Palestinian sources reported at least 11 Palestinians killed: five in an airstrike on the Al-Faraa refugee camp and six others in a drone strike and armed clashes in Jenin. Israeli officials claim at least nine of those killed were militants.

The IDF stated that these raids were the first phase of a more extensive operation aimed at preventing attacks on Israel.

On the same day a body of an Israeli soldier killed during the Hamas attack on Israel on 7 October 2023 has also been recovered from the Gaza Strip and returned to Israeli territory, the Israeli military said on August 28.

Nadav Shoshani, an Israeli military spokesman, said "large forces" had entered Jenin, long a militant stronghold, as well as Tulkarem and the Al-Faraa refugee camp.

The recovery was carried out in a joint operation by the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) and the Shin Bet security service, according to a statement from the army's press service.

"In a joint IDF and Shin Bet operation overnight, the body of an IDF soldier who was killed on October 7 and whose remains were being held in the Gaza Strip was returned to Israel," the statement said.

The military added that the soldier's name would not be released at the family's request.

The Middle East situation escalated sharply after Hamas militants from Gaza launched an attack on Israeli territory on 7 October 2023, resulting in the deaths of residents in border communities and the capture of 250 hostages.

In response, Israel initiated a military operation in the enclave aimed at dismantling Hamas's military and political structures and freeing all captives.

This development comes amidst ongoing tensions in the region, as Israel continues its operations in Gaza while facing international pressure over the humanitarian situation in the enclave.

The recovery of the soldier's remains may impact negotiations between Israel and Hamas, which have been mediated by Qatar and Egypt in recent months.