Israeli Troops Withdraw from West Bank Militant Stronghold, Emphasize Ongoing Operations

34

Israeli forces have concluded a two-day operation in the occupied West Bank, withdrawing their troops from a militant stronghold in the Jenin refugee camp. The intense operation resulted in the deaths of at least 12 Palestinians and one Israeli soldier, displacing thousands of people and causing significant damage to the area. The military claimed to have dealt heavy blows to militant groups through airstrikes and ground operations. However, the long-term impact of this operation remains uncertain amidst a protracted period of conflict in the West Bank.

In other news, Palestinians are assessing the damage caused by the Israeli raid on the West Bank camp, with Israeli authorities emphasizing that this operation should not be viewed as an isolated event. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, while visiting a military post on the outskirts of Jenin, pledged to carry out similar operations if necessary. Stressing their determination to combat terrorism, he stated, “We will eradicate terrorism wherever we see it and we will strike at it.”

The Jenin raid marked one of the most intense Israeli military operations in the West Bank since the end of the armed Palestinian uprising against Israel’s prolonged occupation two decades ago. Since early 2022, Israel has been conducting frequent raids in the West Bank in response to a series of deadly Palestinian attacks. Israel justifies these raids as necessary measures to counter Palestinian militants, citing the perceived weakness of the Palestinian Authority.

However, Palestinians argue that such violence is an inevitable consequence of 56 years of occupation and the absence of any meaningful political dialogue with Israel. They also point to escalating settlement construction and extremist settler violence in the West Bank as contributing factors to the overall unrest.

During the Israeli operation in Jenin, military bulldozers caused extensive damage to roads and buildings, necessitating the evacuation of residents who sought refuge with relatives or in shelters. The disruption resulted in the loss of electricity and water services. Israeli authorities explained that the use of bulldozers was necessary due to the presence of explosives on the roads.

Following the withdrawal of troops on Wednesday, residents began to emerge from their homes to find their surroundings in disarray, with scorched and flattened cars and piles of rubble. The military reported confiscating numerous weapons, bomb-making materials, and caches of money during the operation. Weapons were found in both militant hideouts and civilian areas, including beneath a mosque.

The Israeli withdrawal coincided with a separate incident in which a Hamas militant drove his car into a crowded Tel Aviv bus stop and initiated a stabbing attack, resulting in eight people being wounded, including a pregnant woman who reportedly lost her baby. The assailant was killed by an armed bystander. Hamas claimed the attack was in retaliation for the Israeli offensive.

Additionally, militants from Hamas-ruled Gaza fired five rockets towards Israel, but these were intercepted. In response, Israeli jets targeted several sites in Gaza. In Jenin, clashes between Israeli forces and militants continued until shortly before the withdrawal on Wednesday morning. The military conducted an airstrike targeting a group of militants in a Jenin cemetery, citing a threat to withdrawing forces.

According to Palestinian health officials, 12 Palestinians were killed during the Israeli raid, and dozens more were injured. Another Palestinian man was killed by Israeli forces in an unrelated incident near the city of Ramallah. While the Israeli military claims to have targeted only militants, specific details have not been provided.

This large-scale operation comes amid an escalation of violence that has posed a challenge to Israel’s far-right government, which is predominantly composed of ultranationalists advocating for stronger measures against Palestinian militants. Unfortunately, these actions have only exacerbated the conflict.

Humanitarian groups have raised concerns about the deteriorating situation, with Doctors Without Borders accusing the Israeli army of firing tear gas into a hospital, forcing emergency patients to be treated in an alternative area. The UN’s human rights chief also voiced apprehensions regarding the scale of the operation, noting potential violations of international human rights standards, including the right to life.

A resident of the Jenin camp recounted how soldiers forcibly entered her home, confining the family while taking the young men to the upper floor. She claimed that soldiers prevented her from providing food to the children and initially denied access to an ambulance crew. Eventually, the family was allowed to proceed to a hospital for medical assistance.

In response to the Israeli raid, Palestinians across the West Bank observed a general strike to express their opposition.

While the recent operation in Jenin bore similarities to Israeli military tactics during the early 2000s’ second Palestinian uprising, there are also notable differences, particularly in terms of scope. Israel captured the West Bank, East Jerusalem, and the Gaza Strip during the 1967 Middle East war, and the Palestinians aspire to establish their independent state in these territories.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about West Bank raid

More about West Bank raid

• Israeli forces conclude West Bank raid
• Israeli-Palestinian conflict in the West Bank
• Israeli military operation in Jenin
• Humanitarian concerns during Israeli raid
• Palestinian perspective on West Bank violence