Staff Reporter

Israel began a large-scale three-day military exercise across the occupied West Bank today, raising immediate concerns among Palestinians over heightened military activity, even as the fragile ceasefire in Gaza continues to be marred by ongoing Israeli attacks and political escalations in Jerusalem.

The drills, involving ground forces, the air force, and special units, aim to test operational readiness for potential escalation scenarios and include the use of drones and mock enemy forces, according to the Israeli army.

The exercise comes amid a spike in Israeli settler violence in the West Bank, which saw its highest monthly level of attacks in October since documentation began in 2006.

Despite the ceasefire entering its second month, Israeli forces continue to carry out air raids and demolitions in the Gaza Strip.

Israeli air raids struck eastern Gaza City, with reports of heavy artillery fire and drone activity continuing in Khan Younis and other areas.

At least 241 Palestinians have been killed and 619 wounded by Israeli attacks since the ceasefire began.

Humanitarian aid entering Gaza remains below promised volumes.

Despite a commitment to 600 trucks daily under the ceasefire agreement, only about 200 trucks of humanitarian aid are entering each day. Non-essential commercial trucks reportedly make up the majority of incoming vehicles, leaving the vast needs for food and medicine unmet.

Israel transferred the bodies of 15 Palestinian prisoners to Gaza authorities, bringing the total number of bodies returned under the agreement to 315. Palestinian officials face challenges identifying the bodies due to their condition and a lack of equipment in Gaza.

Settlers destroyed a residential tent and crops in the northern Jordan Valley and burned dozens of olive trees belonging to Palestinians near Nablus.

The UN has noted the increasing intensity of settler violence during the current harvest season.