Israeli forces initiated a significant military operation in Jenin, northern West Bank, resulting in the death of at least three individuals and injury to 25 others, as reported by the Palestinian Health Ministry.
The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) announced through a statement on Telegram during the early hours of Monday morning that they had commenced an extensive counterterrorism campaign in the city of Jenin and the Jenin Camp, targeting and neutralizing terrorist infrastructure.
Residents in Jenin informed CNN that they heard explosions and intense gunfire in the vicinity, while video footage from the scene depicted injured Palestinians being transported by ambulances to Jenin Government Hospital.
According to the Palestinian Ministry of Health, out of the wounded, seven are in critical condition. Mahmoud al-Saadi, the director of the Palestinian Red Crescent in Jenin, stated that most injuries are severe and primarily located in the upper body. He also mentioned the challenges faced in transferring the injured.
Footage shared with journalists indicated ongoing operations in certain areas of the Jenin refugee camp, with Israeli military vehicles observed on the streets of Jenin on Monday morning. However, CNN has not been able to independently verify the authenticity of the videos.
The IDF reported that they targeted a joint operational command centre for the Jenin Camp and members of the Jenin Brigade, a Palestinian militant group associated with Islamic Jihad.
“The operational command centre was identified by the IDF as an advanced observation and reconnaissance facility, frequently used by armed terrorists before and after engaging in terrorist activities,” the IDF stated. They further described the camp as a location for storing weapons and explosives, as well as a central hub for coordinating and communicating among the terrorists.
Furthermore, the IDF noted that the command centre provided shelter for individuals wanted for their involvement in recent terror attacks in the region.
During the operations, the IDF reported the seizure of explosive devices. These actions were carried out in collaboration with the Israel Securities Authority (ISA).
Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant emphasized that the IDF has been targeting areas with significant terrorist activity in Jenin, stating that those who harm Israeli citizens will face severe consequences.
“We are closely monitoring the activities of our adversaries, and Israel’s defence establishment is prepared for any potential situation,” stated the minister.
The Jenin Brigade claimed to have inflicted significant damage on at least one Israeli military vehicle using improvised explosive devices, and their militants continue to engage in clashes with Israeli forces to impede their progress within the camp.
Palestinian Islamic Jihad declared its intention to respond with various available retaliatory measures in reaction to the Israeli operations in Jenin.
In response to the Israeli aggression in Jenin, the militant group posted on its official Telegram channel, stating, “Jenin will not surrender, and we will confront the enemy with all possible retaliation options.”
Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas condemned the extensive Israeli military operation, labelling it as “a new war crime.” He emphasized the need for Palestinian people to experience security and stability, highlighting the actions of the Israeli occupation government in Jenin as a violation against defenceless individuals.
The recent raid occurred less than two weeks after an Israeli military operation in Jenin led to a major firefight, resulting in the death of at least five Palestinians and numerous injuries. Eight Israeli troops were injured and successfully evacuated, as confirmed by the IDF.
In a separate incident, a 21-year-old man identified as Muhammed Hassanein was shot and killed by Israeli forces near the northern entrance of Al-Bireh, close to Ramallah in the West Bank, according to the Palestinian Ministry of Health. The IDF has not yet provided a comment on the incident.
By Kareem Khadder, Abeer Salman, Alex Stambaugh, Eyad Kourdi and Helen Regan, CNN
Updated 12:36 AM EDT, Mon July 3, 2023
