In a significant military operation, Israel deployed drones and hundreds of troops to a militant stronghold in the West Bank on Monday, killing eight Palestinians. This extensive operation evoked memories of similar large-scale military endeavours during the Palestinian uprising two decades ago.
The operation occurred in the Jenin refugee camp, where Israeli forces continued their activities into Monday afternoon, constituting the most significant endeavour in over a year. The process comes after a string of attacks on Israeli settlers, which have caused mounting domestic calls for strong retaliation.
The refugee camp, characterized by its crowded streets, saw exchanges of fire, the humming of drones overhead, and rising plumes of black smoke. Israeli forces also cut off electricity in specific regions and employed military bulldozers to pave their way, causing significant damage to structures. This use of force has garnered condemnation from Palestinians, neighbouring countries Jordan and Egypt, and the 57-member Organization of Islamic Cooperation.
Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant provided no timeline for the operation’s conclusion but confirmed that it was progressing as planned. The process involved approximately 2,000 soldiers and used military drones to facilitate ground forces’ advance. Monday’s operation marks a significant escalation in military actions, with the last incident occurring in 2006.
As the operation unfolded, ambulances rushed the wounded to hospitals, while the UN, alarmed by the scale of the Israeli forces’ operation, began organizing humanitarian aid. The military tactics suggest that the process might extend for some time, a sentiment that local political activist Jamal Huweil echoed.
Israeli Foreign Minister Eli Cohen pointed to Iran as the instigator behind the violence, accusing them of funding Palestinian militant groups. However, Palestinians refute this, attributing the violence to the continued occupation of the West Bank since the 1967 Mideast war.
A history of contention surrounds the Jenin area, serving as a significant site of conflict during the last Palestinian uprising. Earlier military operations saw violent confrontations, the destruction of homes, and significant casualties. The latest process followed another violent incident two weeks ago and the firing of rockets from the area last week, raising concerns within Israel.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government members have urged a more extensive military response to the ongoing violence. Israeli army experts anticipate a swift conclusion to the operation to avoid international criticism and potential involvement from militants in the Gaza Strip or Lebanon.
Palestinian militant group Islamic Jihad, which has a significant presence in Jenin, threatened retaliation from its Gaza Strip stronghold if the Israeli incursion continues.
The recent violence marks a spike in the number of Palestinians killed this year in the West Bank, with a total count surpassing 130. This increase follows a series of Palestinian attacks that intensified Israeli raids in the West Bank. While Israel claims the charges aim to suppress militants, Palestinians argue that such violence is unavoidable given the absence of a political process and increased West Bank settlement construction. The clashes since the beginning of the year have resulted in the death of 24 Israelis.
The territories of the West Bank, east Jerusalem, and the Gaza Strip, captured by Israel in the 1967 Mideast war, are sought by Palestinians for their future independent state.
In conclusion, this most recent military operation in the West Bank indicates the enduring tensions in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. While Israel seeks to protect its citizens from attacks it attributes to militant groups, Palestinians continue to protest the ongoing occupation of the West Bank. The world watches with trepidation, hoping for a peaceful resolution that ensures security for both sides.
