Israel Intensifies Military Operations After Bus Bombings
Following the detonation of bombs on three empty buses near Tel Aviv on February 20, 2025, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has authorized extensive military operations across the West Bank, with the stated aim of dismantling terrorist infrastructure. The bombings, which resulted in no casualties but damaged multiple vehicles, have heightened security concerns and prompted immediate responses from Israeli authorities.
On the evening of the explosions, Netanyahu convened meetings with top defense officials and ordered the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) to undertake what has been described as necessary, intensive operations against centres of terrorism within Judea and Samaria, the Israeli term for the West Bank. Additional military reinforcements were deployed shortly after the attacks, with three extra battalions being sent to the affected areas.
"This is about ensuring terrorism does not return," stated Netanyahu, asserting the operation’s focus on eradicators of threat within civilian domains. The Israeli military has identified these incidents as deeply connected to militant groups operating from the West Bank, saying the explosive devices used were similar to those utilized previously against Israeli targets.
The bombings, which occurred at bus depots intended to disrupt public transport, come against the backdrop of increasing military operations across Palestinian territories, with over 70 Palestinians reportedly killed since January 21 amid the IDF's Operation Iron Wall. With 51 recorded casualties, among them seven children, the operation has drawn criticism for its extensive humanitarian impacts, with over 40,000 Palestinians now displaced from their homes, as reported by the UN.
Zeinab Qasam, whose neighborhood has been heavily affected by these military operations, described her area as resembling “a mini-Gaza.” Witnesses have reported intensified military presence, including the establishment of sniper positions and search operations conducted street by street, often leading to house demolitions.
“They want to build wider roads so their missions against ‘terrorists’ become easier,” she said, questioning the criteria by which her community is deemed as threats. “How exactly does sitting at home, going to work, make us terrorists?”
The local humanitarian situation has deteriorated significantly amid these operations. Damage to water infrastructure has prevented tens of thousands from accessing clean water, aggravation of public health concerns, and disruption to educational access for about 806,000 students across the West Bank, as highlighted by the Education Cluster’s report.
Adding to this humanitarian crisis, reports of settler violence have also intensified during this period, with numerous documented incidents leading to property damage and physical assaults on Palestinian communities. Just within one week, about 34 incidents of violence have been recorded, underscoring the precarious living conditions for many Palestinians, particularly those reliant on farming and herding for their livelihoods.
On February 12, for example, actions by Israeli settlers led to both physical injuries and significant destruction of agricultural resources, impacting families who depend on these lands. Reports indicate systematic targeting of Palestinian agricultural infrastructure, heightening the insecurities surrounding food supply and economic stability.
The broader narrative surrounding Israeli operations is deeply intertwined with political motivations. Analysts suggest the military push serves dual purposes: enhancing security following perceived threats, like the bus bombings, and catering to far-right political factions within Netanyahu's government, advocating for aggressive measures against what they characterize as 'terrorist elements' within Palestinian communities.
Despite the military’s claims of targeting militant groups, many families mourn losses of innocents caught amid the turmoil. Iyad, the father of 10-year-old Saddam Rajab, who was shot and later succumbed to his wounds during these raids, expressed his anguish, stating, "My son didn’t do anything. He was just standing at home. What will I tell his sister when she asks where he went?"
The atmosphere of fear among Palestinians following these escalations is palpable. Al Jazeera’s correspondent Nour Odeh remarked on the prevalent sense of anxiety gripping those living under heightened military operations, citing the utter devastation already witnessed due to property demolitions and deaths of non-combatants during military engagements.
Meanwhile, the Israeli government has emphasized its commitment to protect citizens from threats following the recent bombings, with heightened security across cities and installations, particularly with upcoming anniversaries of previous conflicts increasing concerns among the Israeli populace.
While the immediate focus remains on the operations targeting militant structures, the humanitarian toll continues to grow, with families displaced, children’s education jeopardized, and communities facing daily dangers from both military and settler actions. The international community is watching closely as the impacts of these decisions resonate beyond immediate security concerns, challenging the prospects for peace and stability within the region.
With no swift resolution anticipated, many are left to navigate the dual crises of immediate security threats and the prolonged humanitarian fallout, praying for peace yet expecting turmoil to persist.