Eight Palestinians Killed in Major Israeli Military Operation in Occupied West Bank

Mon Jul 03 2023
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JENIN: A major Israeli military operation in the northern occupied West Bank killed eight Palestinians on Monday. The operation involved drone strikes, hundreds of troops, bulldozers, armored vehicles, and unmanned aerial vehicles.

The Israeli forces, under the leadership of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s hard-right government, conducted the largest operation of its kind in years. Troops entered the Jenin camp and deployed in the surrounding city, leading to gun battles, explosions, and clashes with Palestinians throwing rocks at the Israeli forces.

Israel had already intensified operations in the northern West Bank, particularly in Jenin city and its adjacent refugee camp, which have seen a rise in attacks on Israelis by Palestinian armed groups, as well as incidents of violence involving Jewish settlers targeting Palestinian communities.

According to the Palestinian health ministry, eight people were killed in Monday’s operation, surpassing the toll of a previous Israeli army raid in the Jenin refugee camp two weeks ago. The ministry reported that 50 others were injured, with 10 in serious condition.

Israeli Forces Invasion of West Bank

Mahmoud al-Saadi, director of the Palestinian Red Crescent in Jenin, described the situation as an “invasion from the ground” with bombings and smoke rising from multiple locations. The Israeli army stated that it targeted a “joint operations center” used by the local militant group known as the “Jenin Brigade.” The army also struck an observation and reconnaissance site, a weapons storage facility, and a hideout allegedly used by attackers targeting Israeli interests.

The West Bank is nominally under the control of the Palestinian Authority, led by President Mahmud Abbas, which exercises partial administrative control. Israeli Foreign Minister Eli Cohen stated that Israel was striking the “terrorism hub” in Jenin with significant force.

The recent escalation in violence is part of a worsening trend in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, with the current administration of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu showing no interest in reviving peace talks. Netanyahu’s government includes hardline West Bank settlers, reflecting his commitment to strengthening settlements in the occupied territories.

The Israeli army spokesman, Richard Hecht, mentioned that the operation caught the residents of the Jenin camp by surprise, emphasizing that troops were after specific targets and not seeking to hold ground. The operation, which involved brigade-level troop numbers, is ongoing without a specific timeline for its conclusion.

In response to the operation, the Palestinian group Islamic Jihad stated that “all options are open to strike the enemy (Israel) in response to its aggression in Jenin.” Jordan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesman, Sinan Majali, condemned the escalation, highlighting that it constitutes a violation of international humanitarian law and Israel’s obligations as the occupying power.

The death toll in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict this year has risen, with at least 185 Palestinians, 25 Israelis, a Ukrainian, and an Italian killed, according to an AFP tally. The casualties include combatants and civilians on the Palestinian side, while mostly civilians and three members of the Arab minority have been killed on the Israeli side.

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