Israeli Forces Launch Large Military Operation in Jenin, West Bank, Killing Eight
Israeli forces conducted a major military operation in Jenin in the northern West Bank on Sunday night, resulting in the deaths of at least eight people and injuring 27 others, according to the Palestinian Health Ministry. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) stated that they launched an extensive counterterrorism effort in the area, targeting terrorist infrastructure. Residents reported hearing explosions and heavy gunfire, while videos showed wounded Palestinians being evacuated to a local hospital.
Among the injured, seven are in critical condition, with most of the injuries being serious and in the upper part of the body, according to the Palestinian Red Crescent. Footage shared with journalists indicated ongoing operations in parts of the Jenin refugee camp, with Israeli military vehicles present in the streets. The raid comes less than two weeks after a previous Israeli military operation in Jenin, which resulted in five Palestinian deaths and several injuries.
The IDF stated that they targeted a joint operational command center for the Jenin Camp and operatives of the Jenin Brigade, a Palestinian militant group associated with Islamic Jihad. The command center served as an observation and reconnaissance center, as well as a site for weapons and explosives. The IDF later revealed that they also struck a weapons production and explosive device storage facility, confiscating weapons and an improvised rocket launcher.
Later on Monday, an IDF aircraft struck near a mosque in Jenin, with the purpose of removing a threat, according to the IDF. Clashes between armed gunmen and Israeli forces have been ongoing since midnight, resulting in the death toll rising to eight, according to the Palestinian Health Ministry. The IDF spokesman confirmed that several armed terrorist suspects have been killed during the operation, which is still ongoing.
The IDF aims to break the safe haven mentality within the Jenin camp, which has been the source of approximately 50 shooting attacks against Israelis, according to Lt. Col. Richard Hecht. Hecht also mentioned that the Palestinian Authority and Jordan were informed about the incursion in advance. The IDF spokesman did not disclose the exact number of forces involved but stated that it is approximately equivalent to 500 soldiers.
Israeli Foreign Minister Eli Cohen emphasized that the Israeli military is targeting the terrorism hub operating in the Jenin camp, clarifying that the fight is not against Palestinians but against proxies of Iran in the region, mainly Hamas and Islamic Jihad. The Jenin Brigade claimed to have severely damaged an Israeli military vehicle with improvised explosive devices and continues to clash with Israeli forces to prevent their advance.
Palestinian Islamic Jihad vowed to respond with all possible retaliation options to the Israeli operations in Jenin. Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas condemned the Israeli military operation, calling it a new war crime. Egypt also condemned the incursion, labeling it an act of aggression.
In a separate incident, a 21-year-old man was shot and killed by Israeli forces near Ramallah in the West Bank. The IDF has not yet commented on the incident.
CNN reporters AnneClaire Stapleton and Mike Schwartz contributed to this article.Israeli Forces Launch Large Military Operation in Jenin, West Bank, Killing Eight
Israeli forces conducted a major military operation in the city of Jenin in the northern West Bank on Sunday night, resulting in the deaths of at least eight people and injuring 27 others, according to the Palestinian Health Ministry. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) stated that the operation was an extensive counterterrorism effort targeting terrorist infrastructure in the area. Residents reported hearing explosions and heavy gunfire, while videos showed wounded Palestinians being evacuated to a local hospital.
Among the injured, seven are in critical condition, with most of the injuries being serious and in the upper part of the body, according to the Palestinian Red Crescent. Footage shared with journalists indicated ongoing operations in parts of the Jenin refugee camp, with Israeli military vehicles present in the streets. The IDF said it targeted a joint operational command center for the Jenin Camp and operatives of the Jenin Brigade, a Palestinian militant group associated with Islamic Jihad. The camp was described as a site for weapons and explosives, as well as a hub for coordination and communication among terrorists.
The IDF later revealed that its forces also struck a weapons production and explosive device storage facility, confiscating an improvised rocket launcher and additional weapons. An IDF aircraft also conducted an airstrike near a mosque to remove a threat, although no further details were provided. Clashes between armed gunmen and Israeli forces have been ongoing since midnight, resulting in a death toll of eight, according to the Palestinian Health Ministry.
IDF spokesman Lt. Col. Richard Hecht stated that several armed terrorist suspects have been killed during the operation, which is still ongoing. He emphasized that the goal of the operation is to break the safe haven mentality within the Jenin camp, which has been responsible for numerous shooting attacks against Israelis. Hecht also mentioned that the Palestinian Authority and Jordan were informed about the incursion in advance.
Israeli Foreign Minister Eli Cohen described the operation as targeting the terrorism hub in the Jenin camp, emphasizing that Israel’s fight is with the proxies of Iran in the region, mainly Hamas and Islamic Jihad. The Jenin Brigade claimed to have severely damaged an Israeli military vehicle with improvised explosive devices and vowed to continue clashing with Israeli forces to prevent their advance into the camp. Palestinian Islamic Jihad also threatened retaliation against the Israeli operations.
Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas condemned the Israeli military operation, calling it a new war crime against the defenseless Palestinian people. Egypt also condemned the incursion, labeling it an act of aggression. In a separate incident, a 21-year-old man was shot and killed by Israeli forces near Ramallah in the West Bank.
The situation in Jenin remains tense as the military operation continues.
What is the main objective of the IDF’s military operation in Jenin?
For observation and reconnaissance.
The IDF revealed that they also struck a weapons production and explosive device storage facility, seizing weapons and an improvised rocket launcher. In addition, an IDF aircraft targeted a mosque in Jenin to eliminate a threat. Clashes between armed gunmen and Israeli forces have continued since the operation began, resulting in the death toll rising to eight, according to the Palestinian Health Ministry.
The IDF aims to dismantle the safe haven that the Jenin camp has become for terrorists. Lt. Col. Richard Hecht stated that the camp has been a source of approximately 50 shooting attacks against Israelis. The IDF spokesman confirmed that the operation is ongoing and that several armed terrorist suspects have been killed.
Israeli Foreign Minister Eli Cohen emphasized that the military operation is not against Palestinians but against proxies of Iran in the region, particularly Hamas and Islamic Jihad. The Jenin Brigade claimed responsibility for severely damaging an Israeli military vehicle using improvised explosive devices and continues to engage in clashes to halt the Israeli advance.
Palestinian Islamic Jihad vowed to retaliate against the Israeli operations in Jenin. Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas condemned the military operation, labeling it a new war crime. Egypt also condemned the incursion, calling it an act of aggression.
In a separate incident, a 21-year-old man was shot and killed by Israeli forces near Ramallah in the West Bank. The IDF has not commented on the incident.
CNN reporters AnneClaire Stapleton and Mike Schwartz contributed to this article.
This tragic incident once again highlights the escalating tensions and violence in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. It is crucial for both sides to engage in dialogue and find peaceful solutions to prevent further loss of innocent lives.
This tragic raid only further escalates tensions in an already volatile region. It is imperative that both sides prioritize diplomacy and dialogue to achieve a lasting peace, rather than resorting to violence.