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Israeli Troops Raid West Bank to Prevent Hamas Attacks

Israeli Officials Tentatively Agree to Legalize Settlements

Background:

* Israel launched raids into the Occupied West Bank on Wednesday to root out Hamas militants and prevent further attacks. * Israeli troops raided two Palestinian cities: Nablus and Jenin. * The raids come amid escalating tensions in the region, including airstrikes, settler attacks on Palestinians, and the killing of an Israeli soldier.

Key Developments:

* Israeli officials have tentatively agreed to legalize five Jewish settlements in the occupied West Bank. * This move could further complicate efforts to establish a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. * When Israel withdrew from Gaza in 2005, there were only a few small Israeli settlements there. * Now, there are over 130 settlements in the occupied West Bank, home to over 400,000 Israelis.

Implications:

* The legalization of settlements would violate international law and further entrench the Israeli presence in the West Bank. * It would also make it more difficult for Palestinians to establish a contiguous state. * The move has been met with condemnation from the international community, including the United States.

Additional Information:

* The right-wing government of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has taken steps to increase the number of homes in settlements. * More than a dozen Israeli settlers have been targeted by international sanctions over accusations of attacks and harassment against Palestinians. * The Israeli-Palestinian conflict has been ongoing for decades, with no resolution in sight.