Israel informed the US last week of its plans to carry out a limited counterterror operation in Jenin, Israel Hayom reported.
It is for this reason that the US has not yet responded to the IDF's actions in the area.
At the same time, Israel has committed itself - as it has in the past - to acting against terrorists in a "surgical" manner and doing everything possible to avoid harming innocent individuals.
In addition, the fact that the operation is very limited has released the Prime Minister and defense echelon from requiring the approval of the Diplomatic-Security Cabinet. Thus, the activity remained as secret as possible until the moment IDF forces began moving towards Jenin.
Israel Hayom added that those who were involved in preparing for the operation were the heads of the defense echelon, who believed that the time had come to act in Jenin, which has become a "city of refuge" for terrorists. This belief enjoyed the support of both the Prime Minister and Defense Minister, who approved the process with the understanding that it had come time to act in the area.
Meanwhile, Israel is prepared for an escalation both on its northern border and its border with Gaza, but the political echelon emphasizes that as of now, there is no intention of expanding the fighting to other areas of Israel.