The number of Palestinians killed by an Israeli Army operation in Jenin rises to eight

IDF carries out airstrikes in Jenin refugee camp targeting "hot spots of terrorism"

MADRID, 3 (EUROPA PRESS) - At least eight Palestinians have died and more than 50 have been injured at the hands of the Israeli Army in the framework of an operation launched during the early hours of this Monday in the West Bank city of Jenin, which has included shelling against various points in the town, as confirmed by the Palestinian authorities.

The Palestinian Ministry of Health has indicated on its Facebook account that "the number of martyrs in Jenin has risen to eight", before adding that so far more than 50 injuries have been confirmed, including ten in critical condition, due to which does not rule out that the death toll may increase in the next few hours.

Thus, it has indicated that another Palestinian has been shot dead by Israeli forces in the West Bank city of Al Biré, an incident apparently unrelated to the operation in Jenin. Previously, it had identified four of the victims as Samí Firas abu al Uafa, Husam Muhamad abu Dhiba, Aus al Hanun and Nurredín Hosam Marshud, while specifying that the first three died after being shot in the chest, while the The latter has been shot in the head during the operation.

Likewise, he has emphasized that more than 25 Palestinians have been injured, including several in serious condition, so it is not ruled out that the death toll may increase in the coming hours. "This raises the death toll since the beginning of the year to 185 martyrs," he stressed.

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have announced on Twitter that Israeli soldiers are "attacking a terrorist infrastructure" in Jenin in order to "counter terrorism throughout the city and in the Jenin refugee camp."

The IDF has indicated that it has attacked an Islamic Jihad headquarters that has also been used as an observation post, a meeting place for "armed terrorists", a place where weapons and explosives were accumulated, and a refuge for suspected attacks in the last months.

Along these lines, the spokesman for the Israeli Army, Daniel Hagari, has indicated in statements to the press that the operation "is part of a series of actions" that the IDF "carries out and will continue to carry out", according to the Israeli newspaper ' The Times of Israel'.

"We have not come to occupy the refugee camp. It is not an operation against the Palestinian Authority, but against the terrorist groups in Jenin," he pointed out, while Israeli government sources have stressed that "the objective of this extensive operation is to end Jenin's role as a sanctuary city for terrorism". "It will last as long as it has to last," he has settled.

For his part, the Israeli Defense Minister, Yoav Gallant, has maintained that "the security forces have been working in recent hours with a concentrated effort against the sources of terrorism in Jenin." "Against terrorism we will take an offensive and proactive approach: anyone who harms the citizens of Israel will pay a heavy price," he said.

"We closely monitor the behavior of our enemy: the security system is prepared for any scenario. Strengthen the IDF and the Shin Bet in their determined activity. We will pursue and catch up with our enemy," Gallant added.

ISLAMIC JIHAD SAYS 'JENIN WILL NOT SURRENDER'

Islamic Jihad has confirmed the attack against the infrastructure of its affiliate, the Jenin Battalion, while confirming that the aggression "will not achieve its objectives" and that "Jenin will remain a symbol of firmness."

"Jenin will not surrender and our fighters are determined to confront and fight no matter what the sacrifices. The Zionist enemy bears full responsibility for all the consequences of this aggression," a statement said.

Likewise, it has communicated that the different factions of the Palestinian resistance in the Gaza Strip are in a meeting to "follow up on the barbaric aggression against Jenin" and has assured that they will not allow the invasion.

In addition, Hamas leader Ismail Haniya has said that "the blood spilled on the land of Jenin will determine the nature of the next stage from all directions," calling on West Banks to support Jenin and defend their town.

Hamas spokesman, Hazem Qassem, has confirmed the "generalized aggression" against the armed wing, the Al Qassam Brigades, "will not achieve its objectives and the Zionist enemy will fail." Likewise, he has stated that the government headed by Benjamin Netanyahu bears "full responsibility" for the aggression.

"Jenin has shown throughout history that it is unbreakable and has a great capacity to resist the enemy," he declared, adding that the rest of the Palestinian cities will continue their uprising against the occupation crimes.

For his part, the spokesman for the Presidency of the Palestinian Authority, Nabil Abu Rudeina, has assured that "security and stability will not be achieved in the region unless the Palestinian people feel it" and that what happened in Jenin is of "a new war crime" against a "defenseless people", according to the WAFA news agency.

Likewise, the Palestinian movement Al Fatá has indicated that the "barbaric aggression of the Israeli occupation" against the Jenin camp" will not deter the Palestinians "from continuing to defend the rights" of the people until they achieve "freedom and independence".

"They are the terrorist occupation system that found nothing but destructive shelling and disproportionate use of force, indicating that the beleaguered occupation government is trying, through bloodshed, to seek escalating paths to avoid exacerbation of its internal crises".

Tensions have spiked especially since June 19, when an Israeli army raid in Jenin left seven Palestinians dead -- including two minors -- and more than 90 wounded. Just a day later, four Israelis were killed in an attack near the Eli settlement.

In this context, hundreds of settlers carried out attacks against West Bank towns, events that resulted in the death of a Palestinian, while the Israeli Army killed three Palestinians --members of Islamic Jihad and the armed wing of Al Fatah-- in a drone strike near Jenin.

ISRAEL CONSIDERS JENIN "A TERRORIST STRONGHOLD"

The Israeli Army has maintained that the Jenin refugee camp has become "a bastion of terrorist activity" and has stated that "terrorist organizations, including Islamic Jihad and Hamas, have increased their activity" in the area. "They are trying to establish ever stronger defenses and carry out terrorist attacks," he added.

Thus, he has indicated in a report to the press that the place is a center for the "planning of terrorist attacks" in the West Bank, at the same time that "it is a source of inspiration and imputation that affects the seriousness and amount of terrorist activity, particularly in the northern West Bank.

"The Jenin area is also a source of financing for terrorist cells in Judea and Samaria --biblical name for the West Bank--", he said, while stressing that it is also a "refuge for terrorists". "The Jenin area is a fortified location and a haven for terrorists" from all over the West Bank, "she explained.

Along these lines, he explained that so far this year there have been "more than 50 armed attacks" carried out by "terrorists from the Jenin area", while 19 suspects fled to the camp after carrying out attacks since September 2022. Ten houses of Palestinians responsible for the death of civilians and soldiers have since been demolished.