JERUSALEM - Palestinian authorities have reported that seven people were killed on Friday during an Israeli military operation in the vicinity of the West Bank city of Jenin. The operation, described by the Israeli military as "counterterrorism activity," involved an airstrike and clashes between Israeli soldiers and armed individuals inside a building.

According to the Israeli military, the soldiers had surrounded a building where terrorists had barricaded themselves in. Exchange of fire ensued between the soldiers and those inside, while an airstrike targeted several armed terrorists in the area. The details provided by the Palestinian Health Ministry did not specify whether the casualties occurred during the exchange of fire or as a result of the airstrike.

Four of the deceased have been identified as members of the Islamic Jihad militant group.

The clashes in Jenin, a known stronghold for militants, took place just a day after the Israeli anti-settlement monitoring group, Peace Now, revealed the government's plans to construct approximately 5,300 new homes in settlements within the occupied West Bank. This move is seen as an attempt by the hard-line government to solidify Israel's control over the region and prevent the establishment of a future Palestinian state.

The Palestinians have long sought the West Bank, East Jerusalem, and Gaza Strip, territories captured by Israel during the 1967 Middle East war, for the establishment of an independent state.

The recent surge in violence in the West Bank can be attributed to the ongoing conflict in Gaza. The war, prompted by a Hamas raid into southern Israel on October 7, has resulted in the deaths of around 1,200 people, predominantly civilians, and the hostage-taking of over 200 others. The Palestinian Health Ministry has reported that, since the beginning of the war, over 500 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli fire in the West Bank. These casualties include individuals killed during Israeli raids, violent protests, as well as bystanders and Palestinians targeted in attacks by Jewish settlers.

In Gaza, the war has led to a staggering death toll, with more than 38,000 Palestinians killed according to Gaza's Health Ministry. While the ministry does not differentiate between combatants and civilians in its count, it emphasizes that the figure includes thousands of women and children.

The Israeli military operation in Jenin comes at a time of heightened tensions in the region, further fueling concerns about the prospects for peace between Israelis and Palestinians. As the violence persists, there is a pressing need for dialogue and de-escalation to prevent further loss of life and pave the way for a peaceful resolution.