Israeli Military Begins Withdrawing Troops from West Bank Stronghold After Intense Operation
JENIN, West Bank – The Israeli military has started withdrawing troops from a militant stronghold in the occupied West Bank, according to security officials. The two-day operation resulted in the deaths of at least 13 Palestinians, the displacement of thousands of people, and significant damage to the area. One Israeli soldier was also killed.
However, heavy fighting between Israeli troops and Palestinian militants continued in parts of the Jenin refugee camp, causing a delay in the planned pullout. Residents in the camp reported that the army had left the area just after midnight.
The withdrawal came after a Hamas militant carried out an attack in Tel Aviv, ramming his car into a crowded bus stop and stabbing multiple people. Eight individuals were wounded, including a pregnant woman who reportedly lost her baby. The attacker was killed by an armed bystander, and Hamas claimed the attack was in revenge for the Israeli offensive.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, during a visit to a military post outside Jenin, indicated that the operation was nearing its end. However, he vowed to carry out similar operations in the future, stating, “At these moments we are completing the mission, and I can say that our extensive operation in Jenin is not a one-off.”
The Israeli military conducted an airstrike late Tuesday, targeting a militant cell located in a cemetery. The military claimed that the gunmen threatened forces moving out of the camp, but there was no immediate information on casualties.
Fighting was also reported near a hospital in Jenin, with explosions and gunfire heard in the area. Palestinian hospital officials stated that three civilians were hit by Israeli fire. An Israeli security official confirmed that troops had begun to leave but said the withdrawal was complicated by the ongoing fighting.
The Israeli operation in Jenin, which aimed to destroy and confiscate weapons, resulted in significant damage to roads and buildings. Thousands of residents fled the camp, and basic services such as electricity and water were disrupted. The Israeli military stated that the use of bulldozers was necessary due to booby-trapped roads.
During the operation, the military claimed to have confiscated thousands of weapons, bomb-making materials, and caches of money. Weapons were found in both militant hideouts and civilian areas, including beneath a mosque.
The sustained violence in the West Bank has raised concerns from humanitarian groups about the deteriorating situation. Doctors Without Borders accused the army of firing tear gas into a hospital, forcing emergency patients to be treated in a main hall. The U.N.’s human rights chief also expressed concerns about the operation’s scale and its impact on human rights.
The Israeli raids in the West Bank have been a response to a series of deadly Palestinian attacks in early 2022. Israel says the raids are aimed at cracking down on Palestinian militants and preventing further attacks. However, Palestinians argue that the violence is a result of the long-standing occupation and the absence of a political process with Israel.
The Palestinian self-rule government in the West Bank, along with Jordan, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, have condemned Israel’s incursion.
Why have human rights organizations called for an independent investigation into the incidents during the operation
Their positions. The strike resulted in the deaths of two Palestinian militants.
Human rights organizations have raised concerns over the Israeli military’s tactics during the operation, citing reports of excessive use of force and the destruction of civilian infrastructure. They have called for an independent investigation into the incidents.
The withdrawal of Israeli troops from the West Bank stronghold marks the end of a two-day intense operation that aimed to dismantle militant networks in the area. However, the heavy fighting that still persists in parts of the Jenin refugee camp indicates that the situation remains volatile.
The operation was triggered by a Hamas militant attack in Tel Aviv, which claimed the lives of eight individuals and injured several others. The attacker was killed by an armed bystander, and Hamas claimed responsibility for the attack, citing it as retaliation for the Israeli offensive.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, while visiting a military post outside Jenin, expressed that the operation was nearing its conclusion. However, he emphasized that similar operations would be carried out in the future, highlighting the ongoing threat posed by militant networks.
During the course of the operation, at least 13 Palestinians were killed, thousands were displaced, and the area suffered significant damage. One Israeli soldier was also killed in the fighting.
The Israeli military conducted an airstrike late Tuesday, targeting a militant cell in a cemetery. The military stated that the gunmen posed a direct threat to the withdrawing forces. The strike resulted in the deaths of two Palestinian militants.
The operation has drawn criticism from human rights organizations, which have highlighted reports of excessive use of force and the destruction of civilian infrastructure. These organizations have called for an impartial investigation into the incidents to ensure accountability and protect the rights of civilians affected by the conflict.
It’s disheartening to see the aftermath of any military operation, especially when it involves innocent lives lost and infrastructural damage. While the Israeli military’s withdrawal may bring relief, it’s crucial to prioritize civilian safety and rebuilding efforts to achieve lasting peace in the West Bank.