Israeli Forces Withdraw from Jenin After Major Nine-Day Operation
Israeli forces have concluded a significant nine-day military operation in Jenin, a city and refugee camp in the occupied West Bank. This action, one of the largest by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) in the region in recent years, was aimed at targeting what they described as terrorist infrastructure. Jenin, home to around 60,000 civilians and a stronghold for militant groups, witnessed intense fighting and destruction.
Heavy Casualties on Both Sides
The operation resulted in the deaths of at least 36 Palestinians, according to the Palestinian health ministry. Twenty-one of the casualties were from Jenin, with most being identified as members of armed groups. However, the toll also included civilians, including children. Tragically, an Israeli soldier was killed during the fighting as well.
The Scope of the Operation
In addition to Jenin, Israeli forces raided Tubas and the al-Faraa refugee camp, marking the deadliest military campaign in the northern West Bank since the outbreak of the Gaza war last October. Hundreds of troops from various branches were involved, with residents confined to their homes amid ongoing air strikes and ground battles. The IDF also cut off utilities, leaving civilians without power and water for several days.
The Aftermath: Emerging from Destruction
As Israeli forces withdrew, residents of Jenin began stepping outside for the first time in days, taking in the damage left behind. Khalid Abu Sabeer, who lives next to a mosque in Jenin, described how the entire floor of his home was blown out by an explosion. The Israeli army, he explained, was targeting a cave beneath his building.
The scars of the conflict were everywhere: streets lined with bullet holes, piles of rubble from military bulldozers, and graffiti depicting rifles and the name “Hamas.” The city center was particularly hard-hit, with a massive hole making the main road impassable.
Hospitals Struggled to Cope
The head of Jenin’s government hospital, Dr. Wissam Bakr, spoke about the immense challenges during the operation. With power and water cut off, the hospital was forced to rely on generators and water tanks to care for patients, including two newborns and two elderly individuals on ventilators.
Life Slowly Returns to the Streets
As the situation stabilized, life began to return to Jenin. Market stalls reappeared, and cafes filled with locals once again. However, the sounds of gunfire still echoed through the refugee camp, as funerals for the dead were held, including for a 16-year-old girl and other civilians.
IDF’s Claims of Success
In a statement, the IDF reported that they had “eliminated 14 terrorists,” apprehended over 30 suspects, and dismantled around 30 explosives. They also claimed to have destroyed several key sites used for terror activities, including an underground weapons storage facility beneath a mosque and an explosives lab.
A Surge in Violence Across the West Bank
The violence in the West Bank has intensified since the Hamas attack last October, with over 600 Palestinians killed during Israeli raids, according to the Palestinian health ministry. In Hebron, three Palestinians were killed over the past nine days, with Israel claiming one of them was responsible for a shooting that killed three Israeli police officers.
Israel has defended its actions, stating they are necessary to prevent further attacks on Israelis in the West Bank and beyond. However, the human cost of this operation and the ongoing violence continues to be felt deeply on both sides.