Israeli forces operating in the occupied West Bank have reportedly killed at least eight Palestinians within a 24-hour period, according to AP. The violence erupted as Palestinian protesters demanded the protection of Palestinian farmers. The situation in the West Bank has been escalating since October 7 when Hamas launched rockets towards Israel. Since then, Israeli forces have been responsible for killing numerous protesters and detaining others. The Palestinian Ministry of Health reported that on Friday, five farmers were killed in Jenin, and three others were killed in separate incidents across different areas of the West Bank.

The Israeli military has justified its operations by citing attacks carried out by Palestinian militants, including the recent killing of an Israeli soldier and his father in a car accident in the West Bank. However, there have been no mentions of casualties among the protesters by the Israeli forces, nor have they declared the cessation of their operations. As a result of the military operation, civilians have been displaced, homes have been raided, and buildings have been demolished by bulldozers. Additionally, Israel has closed off access and checkpoints between Palestinian cities, further intensifying the situation.

This increase in violence is part of an ongoing conflict that has persisted in the West Bank for over a year, characterized by heightened attacks and arrests of Palestinians. Even before this recent military operation, 2023 had already become the deadliest year for Palestinian farmers in the West Bank in more than two decades.