Israel’s ongoing assault in the occupied West Bank has led to the deaths of at least 10 Palestinians in Jenin and one in Ramallah. This large-scale attack, the largest in decades, involves over 1,000 Israeli soldiers supported by air attacks.
On Monday, the Israeli military launched a raid on the densely populated Jenin refugee camp, resulting in the deaths of at least 10 Palestinians and the injury of around 100 others. The attack has prompted the internationally backed Palestinian administration to suspend contacts with Israel, while the United States and the United Nations have expressed concerns over the situation.
The Palestinian Red Crescent has been evacuating approximately 3,000 people from the Jenin camp, which is home to around 14,000 individuals living in an area of less than half a square kilometer. The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) has expressed deep concern over the damage inflicted on the camp. Water and electricity services have been disrupted, and all UNRWA installations, including schools and a health center, are not functioning due to the attack.
Doctors Without Borders (Medecins Sans Frontieres, or MSF) has called for unhindered access for health workers to provide medical care to those in need in Jenin. However, Israeli forces have blocked all roads leading to the refugee camp, preventing ambulances from reaching patients. The destruction of roads by Israeli military bulldozers has made it difficult for medical teams to access the area. Palestinian paramedics have been forced to navigate on foot, facing gunfire and drone strikes, to reach people requiring urgent medical treatment.
Israel’s National Security Advisor, Tzachi Hanebi, has claimed that the Jenin operation is nearing completion and close to achieving its goals. The Israeli military has stated that it confirmed the deaths of nine Palestinians, all identified as combatants. The faction Islamic Jihad claimed four of the deceased as its fighters, while Hamas, another Islamist faction, claimed one. The status of the remaining five fatalities, aged between 17 and 23, whether they were fighters or civilians, has not been immediately determined.
The escalating violence in the occupied West Bank highlights the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict and raises concerns about the humanitarian situation and the loss of civilian lives. The international community continues to call for de-escalation and efforts towards a peaceful resolution.
