Israel has pressed on with a large-scale military operation in the occupied West Bank for a fourth day as fierce fighting rages in the nearly 11-month Gaza conflict.

Hamas hailed a “heroic operation” at what it called a “sensitive time” during the Israeli operations in the north. Hamas ally Islamic Jihad, which has a strong presence in the northern West Bank, similarly said it “congratulates” the perpetrators of what it called a “coordinated attack”.

An AFP photographer in Jenin heard ongoing clashes in the city, where the streets were mostly empty save for armoured vehicles, including one that blocked access to the government hospital.

“I think it’s the worst day since the start of the raid … We hear from time to time clashes and sometimes there is big bombing,” said the hospital’s director, Wisam Bakr.

Water and electricity were cut off from the hospital during the raid, forcing it to rely on a generator and water tank, he told AFP.

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