In a significant military operation led by the hard-right government of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, the Israeli military deployed bulldozers, armored vehicles, and unmanned aerial vehicles in the city of Jenin in the occupied West Bank. The operation, described as the largest of its kind in years, aimed to target Palestinian armed groups in the area.
According to an AFP correspondent on the ground in Jenin, the operation involved Israeli troops entering the city and the adjacent refugee camp. Violent clashes erupted, characterized by gun battles, explosions, and Palestinians throwing rocks at Israeli troops. The Palestinian health ministry reported that nine people were killed and fifty others were injured, with some in serious condition.
The Israeli army claimed that its forces struck a “joint operations center,” serving as a command post for the local militant group known as the “Jenin Brigade.” The targeted sites included an observation and reconnaissance facility, a weapons storage facility, and a hideout allegedly used by individuals responsible for recent attacks on Israeli targets.
Jenin and its surrounding areas have witnessed an escalation of violence in recent months, with attacks by Palestinian armed groups on Israelis and retaliatory attacks by Jewish settlers on Palestinian communities. The area falls under the nominal control of the Palestinian Authority led by President Mahmud Abbas.
The Israeli military’s operation in Jenin caught many residents by surprise, particularly due to the use of aerial strikes targeting the heart of the refugee camp. Army spokesman Richard Hecht acknowledged that while there was awareness of a potential operation, the method employed by the Israeli forces was unexpected.
Hecht emphasized that the operation focused on specific targets and that the intention was not to maintain control over the territory. The Israeli army remained inside the camp, seizing weapons, ammunition, and infrastructure. Hecht did not provide a specific timeline for ending the operation but mentioned that brigade-level troop numbers were involved.
This latest operation is part of an ongoing escalation of violence in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, which has worsened since early last year. The current Israeli government, led by Prime Minister Netanyahu, includes hardline West Bank settlers and has expressed a commitment to strengthening settlements, showing little interest in reviving peace talks.
The international community has expressed concern over the situation. Jordan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson highlighted the violation of international humanitarian law and Israel’s obligations as the occupying power. Meanwhile, the Palestinian militant group Islamic Jihad stated that “all options are open” in response to the aggression in Jenin.
The casualties resulting from this operation add to the grim toll of the conflict. According to an AFP tally compiled from official sources on both sides, since the beginning of the year, at least 185 Palestinians, 25 Israelis, a Ukrainian, and an Italian have lost their lives. These figures include combatants and civilians on the Palestinian side, and mostly civilians, along with three members of the Arab minority, on the Israeli side.
The situation in Jenin and the occupied West Bank remains tense, with deep-rooted grievances and competing narratives fueling the cycle of violence. The hope for a peaceful resolution and the resumption of meaningful peace talks seems distant as the conflict continues to claim lives and deepen divisions.