The army closed four major entrances into Jenin city and the refugee camp marking the fourth day of this fatal military operation according to reports given by officials on Friday. Jenin’s Deputy Governor, Mansour Saadi, declared, “The army has established earth mounds on all paths and highways – to close entrance and exit”.
Reports said that Israeli forces used drones carrying loudspeakers in the refugee camp and imposed a curfew from Thursday evening into Friday morning. Palestinian sources also accused Israeli forces of setting fire to homes inside the camp, which prevented civil defense teams from extinguishing the fire.
This military action comes after threats of forced evacuations against residents of the Jenin refugee camp, forcing thousands of Palestinians to flee amidst the continuing assault. Operations by Israel in the occupied West Bank have been escalating since January 21, shortly after a ceasefire was factored in for Gaza on January 19.
The toll from these Israeli raids on Thursday was 12, with many others injured and detained. Outside Jenin government hospital, the situation could be described as “dire,” where medical staff struggled to offer healthcare services due to loss of power and fuel.
The move has sparked concerns among Palestinians in the occupied West Bank, who fear a repeat of the devastation witnessed in Gaza. Reports indicate that residents believe Israeli forces aim to demolish Palestinian towns in a similar manner.
There are reports of resistance by Palestinian fighters who have targeted, with explosives, Israeli forces in Jenin, though no casualties were immediately reported. Clashes also broke out between Palestinian fighters and PA security forces in several towns, including Yabad, west of Jenin.
The UN has expressed profound concerns over the military operations being conducted by Israel in the West Bank and, in particular, what looked to them like methods of combat. “The lethal Israeli operations raise the most serious concerns about the unnecessary use of force in violation of international human rights norms,” said Thameen al-Kheetan from the UN human rights office.
Analysts say this heightened interest in the West Bank distracts from some of the failures that took place during the failure of October 7 and paves the way for more annexation. Since the Gaza war started in October 2023, Israeli raids have skyrocketed in the West Bank, killing almost 900 Palestinians and injuring thousands of others.
Israel claims the moves in the West Bank form part of broader moves to rout out the armed Palestinian militants. However, United Nations Special Rapporteur Francesca Albanese says continued military campaigns could spill over beyond Gaza if actions in the West Bank do not cease.
