Operation “House and Garden” was still underway on Monday afternoon. In addition to the deaths, there were also dozens of wounded, several of them in critical condition, the Palestinian ministry said. It remains unclear whether those killed were militant Islamist fighters or uninvolved residents.
The Israeli army said several targeted air strikes overnight hit an arms depot, a terrorist hangout and a command and communications center that is also used as an observation post.
AP/Majdi Mohammed The Israeli military advanced on Jenin
According to Palestinian reports, there was a power outage in Jenin. Videos showed several destroyed roads. The “Teatro da Liberdade”, in the center of the city, was also hit, as confirmed by the cultural institution. Shortly after the airstrikes, the Israeli army moved into the city with around 100 military vehicles and ground troops. According to Palestinian reports, there was fighting.
Operation “as long as necessary”
Israeli army spokesman Richard Hecht said the operation would last “as long as necessary”. The army is massed at the refugee camp in Jenin. At least seven terrorists were neutralized there overnight. It was unclear if they were killed. According to Hecht, dozens of attacks on Israelis have been carried out by camp residents since last year.
Graphics: APA/ORF; Source: peacenow.org.il
According to the BBC, the army “has no intention” of occupying the refugee camp, citing a senior officer to do so. Currently, “incursions are being carried out based on accurate information.” “Special combat techniques” for warfare in built-up areas would be used to reduce civilian casualties. So far, there have been about 20 arrests. The operation “is not limited in time or space”, the BBC said.
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas’ spokesman Nabil Abu Rudaina condemned the Israeli operation and called it a “new war crime”. He urged the international community to “break its shameful silence and take serious action”.
Hamas calls for mobilization
In addition to Hamas, which governs the Gaza Strip, militant Islamic Jihad and other loose groups have also gained influence in Jenin in recent years. In the morning, Hamas called for the mobilization of Palestinians in the West Bank and guaranteed support for its fighters in Jenin. An Islamic Jihad spokesman said: “As long as this aggression does not stop, the response options will be wide and comprehensive.”
Israeli military offensive
ORF correspondent Tim Cupal reports from Tel Aviv. He looks at how the conflict in the West Bank could get worse after Israel launched a major offensive.
Israeli Defense Minister Joav Galant said the army will continue to be “proactive and decisive” in Jenin. Israel’s defense apparatus is prepared for any scenario. The security situation in Israel and the Palestinian territories has been tense for a long time and has recently deteriorated again. The government, among others, recently called for a full-scale military offensive.
Violent protests in Israel
Despite the attack in the West Bank, protests against the government’s planned restructuring of the judiciary continued in Israel on Monday. Hundreds of people blocked the port of the coastal city of Haifa. Other actions are also planned in the country during the day. Thousands of protesters were expected at a demonstration in front of Ben Gurion Airport, near Tel Aviv.
In Haifa, demonstrators blocked the access road to the port. Long traffic jams formed in the region. Something similar is also planned for the airport. The airport authority and police wanted to limit the participants to 5,000 people. However, organizers said that anyone who wanted to voice their protest would come to the airport.
According to organizers, around 286,000 people across the country took part in demonstrations against the government’s controversial plans on Saturday. After a hiatus, the government resumes reforms aimed at weakening the Federal Supreme Court.