Fires burn at a roundabout during Israeli military operation in Jenin, in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, May 21, 2024. REUTERS/Raneen Sawafta
On Tuesday, Israeli forces launched a significant raid in the West Bank city of Jenin, resulting in the deaths of seven Palestinians, including a doctor. This operation, which involved dozens of military vehicles, targeted armed militants in the city, which is known as a stronghold for groups such as Hamas, Fatah, and Islamic Jihad.
Details of the Operation
The Israeli military reported that the operation focused on armed militants, resulting in the shooting of several Palestinian gunmen. Hazim Masarwa, an ambulance driver, described the sudden nature of the raid, stating that undercover forces began firing at any moving target on the street.
The raid involved heavy-tracked armored bulldozers tearing up streets near the city center, protected by Israeli forces in at least 20 vehicles. Gunfire and drone activity were reported throughout the morning rush hour.
Casualties
Among the seven individuals killed were a teacher and a doctor who were on their way to work. The hospital director, Wissam Baker, confirmed that the city’s main governmental hospital, Jenin hospital, was surrounded by Israeli forces. Baker noted the specialist surgeon was among those killed, emphasizing the dire situation as more Israeli forces gathered.
Broader Context
The West Bank, which Palestinians seek as part of a future independent state along with Gaza, has experienced heightened violence since the onset of the Gaza conflict last year. Israeli security forces have intensified their crackdown, leading to thousands of arrests. In the past seven months, hundreds of Palestinians, including both armed militants and civilians, have been killed in the West Bank and East Jerusalem. Additionally, clashes with Israeli settlers have resulted in Palestinian deaths. Conversely, Palestinians have killed over a dozen Israelis during the same period.
This operation underscores the ongoing tension and conflict in the region, contributing to the cycle of violence and unrest between Israelis and Palestinians.
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