Intense clashes between Israeli forces and armed Palestinian militants have erupted in the Jenin refugee camp in the occupied West Bank. The Israeli military launched a series of drone strikes early on Monday, marking one of its most extensive operations in the territory in years. Health officials have reported that nine Palestinians have been killed and 100 injured. Israel claims that it is putting an end to Jenin being a “refuge for terrorism,” while Palestinians accuse Israel of committing a war crime. The Palestinian Red Crescent has evacuated around 3,000 people, including patients and the elderly, from the camp to hospitals. Israeli forces have detained dozens of people in their homes without providing food or drink. The operation’s timeline remains uncertain, but the Israeli military has stated that it could last for hours or a few days. Jenin has become a stronghold for a new generation of Palestinian militants who are frustrated with the Palestinian Authority’s leadership and the Israeli occupation. The city has experienced repeated Israeli military raids in the past year due to deadly attacks on Israelis carried out by local Palestinians. In 2002, Israeli forces launched a full-scale incursion in Jenin during the second Palestinian intifada, resulting in numerous casualties. The current operation has seen hundreds of Israeli soldiers operating in Jenin, with the camp declared a closed Israeli military zone. The Israeli military has cut off telephone communications and electricity supply to the camp, making it difficult to obtain accurate information about the situation. Palestinian medics have also faced challenges in reaching the injured. The operation has sparked protests and condemnation from Palestinians and neighboring Jordan, while the US has expressed support for Israel’s security and right to defend against terrorist groups. The longer the operation continues, the greater the risk of wider escalation.
