ISRAEL: Israel is nearing the conclusion of its Jenin operation, a senior aide to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated on Tuesday, following the most intense clashes in the West Bank town in over 20 years that killed 10 Palestinians and compelled thousands to flee their homes.
The early Monday raid, which involved hundreds of commandos and airstrikes, led the internationally recognised Palestinian government to announce that it was halting relations with Israel and sparked U.S. and U.N. humanitarian concerns.
In an operation codenamed “Home and Garden” in the Jenin refugee camp, Israel has stated that its objective is to remove Iranian-backed Palestinian factions responsible for a significant increase in gun and bomb attacks, as well as initial attempts to manufacture rockets.
One Palestinian who was injured during the house-to-house clashes sadly passed away overnight, and another body was discovered in the morning. As a result, the death toll now stands at 10, with approximately 100 individuals wounded, 20 of whom are in critical condition, according to the Palestinian health ministry.
The Islamic Jihad faction has claimed responsibility for four of the deceased individuals, stating they were their fighters, while Hamas, another Islamist faction, has claimed responsibility for the fifth. However, it remains unclear whether the remaining five fatalities, males aged between 17 and 23, were combatants or civilians.
Israeli National Security Adviser Tzachi Hanebi stated on Kan radio that the operation “is close to completing the achievement of the goals set,” following a period of reduced conflict overnight.
According to the Israeli military, its forces have verified the deaths of nine Palestinians. The military clarified that all those killed were combatants. Additionally, they reported detaining 120 suspected gunmen for interrogation.
Chief military spokesperson Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari announced that troops will be deployed to specific target areas within the camp for further search operations on Tuesday. In a tweet, he said, “If there’s friction with terrorists – we’ll fight them too.”
In response to calls for a general strike to protest an operation in the occupied West Bank, offices and businesses were anticipated to close on Tuesday. The Palestinian Authority, led by President Mahmoud Abbas, has labelled the operation a “war crime.”
The Palestinian Red Crescent reported evacuating approximately 3,000 people, amounting to 500 families, from the camp. The camp, home to about 14,000 people in less than half a square kilometre, has become a significant focal point during the year-long wave of violence in the West Bank.
Humanitarian organisations urged Israel to ensure access for humanitarian assistance. The United States stated on Monday that it acknowledged Israel’s right to self-defence while emphasising the importance of avoiding civilian casualties. The United Nations emphasised that all military operations must adhere to international law.
The camp, housing numerous fighters from Islamic Jihad, Hamas, and Fatah, has been reinforced with various obstacles and surveillance points in order to defend against frequent military incursions.
In response to the Israeli aggression, Islamic Jihad released a statement saying, “The brutal (Israeli) aggression will not break the will of valiant Jenin”, adding that their fighters had successfully detonated several bombs in close proximity to the troops.
When asked about the casualties, the military reported that one soldier had sustained minor injuries from a grenade.
Israeli bulldozers moved through the streets of the camp on Monday to eliminate makeshift explosive devices, resulting in the disruption of water and electricity provision. However, Israeli authorities assured that they would make efforts to reinstate these essential services.
On Tuesday, the military reported that border police had discovered an underground shaft employed for storing explosives within the refugee camp and had successfully dismantled two observation posts.
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