At least four Palestinians have been killed in a large-scale Israeli military operation in the West Bank city of Jenin. Around two dozen others were injured, six of them in critical condition, the Palestinian Ministry of Health said.
Operation “Home and Garden”, which according to Israeli statements was aimed at “terrorist infrastructure”, was still ongoing early Monday morning. The region around Jenin and the associated refugee camp with around 17,000 inhabitants has been a stronghold of militant Palestinians for years.
The army said several targeted airstrikes during the night hit a weapons depot, a meeting place for terrorists and a command and communications center that is also used as an observation post. According to Palestinian reports, there were power outages across Jenin. Videos showed several destroyed roads. The “Freedom Theater” in the city center was also hit, as the cultural institution confirmed. Israel’s army moved into the city shortly after the airstrikes with around 100 military vehicles and ground troops. According to Palestinian reports, violent fighting with residents then broke out.
The spokesman for Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, Nabil Abu Rudeineh, condemned the Israeli operation and spoke of a “new war crime”. He called on the international community to “break its shameful silence and take serious action”
“At least seven terrorists neutralized”
Israeli army spokesman Richard Hecht said the operation would last “as long as necessary”. Accordingly, the army is concentrating on the refugee camp in Jenin. “At least seven terrorists were neutralized” there during the night. It was unclear whether they were killed. According to Hecht, several dozen attacks on Israelis were carried out by camp residents.
In addition to Hamas, which rules in the Gaza Strip, the militant Islamic Jihad and other loose groups in Jenin have also gained massive influence in recent years. They are mostly financed by Iran. Hamas called for the mobilization of Palestinians in the West Bank in the morning and pledged support for their fighters in Jenin. A spokesman for the militant Palestinian organization Islamic Jihad said: “As long as this aggression does not stop, the options for response will be wide and comprehensive.”
Israeli Defense Minister Joav Galant said the army would “continue to act proactively and decisively” in Jenin. Israel’s defense apparatus is prepared for any scenario.
The security situation is extremely tense
The security situation in Israel and the Palestinian territories has been tense for a long time and recently worsened again. The government, among others, has recently called for a large-scale military offensive.
After two Palestinians killed four Israelis in the West Bank almost two weeks ago, angry Israeli settlers repeatedly used violence against Palestinians there. In addition, for the first time in decades, the military carried out a targeted air strike against Palestinians in the West Bank.
Since the beginning of the year, more than two dozen people have died in attacks by Palestinians. During the same period, more than 143 Palestinians were shot dead in confrontations, Israeli military operations, or after their own attacks.
Israel captured the West Bank and East Jerusalem during the 1967 Six Day War. The Palestinians claim the areas for their own state.
