ISRAEL: The Israeli military carried out large-scale demolitions in the Jenin refugee camp, a densely populated area in the occupied West Bank, on Sunday. The Palestinian state news agency reported that around 20 buildings were leveled in the operation, while the Israeli military stated that 23 structures had been dismantled. Explosions rocked the camp as Israeli forces targeted what they claimed were militant strongholds, weapons depots, and explosives laboratories. Footage from the area showed thick smoke rising above the city, underscoring the intensity of the assault. This latest offensive comes as part of an ongoing military campaign that has seen nearly two weeks of sustained operations in Jenin.
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas condemned the attack and called on the United States to intervene to halt Israeli military actions in the West Bank. In a statement, Abbas urged the United Nations Security Council to hold an emergency meeting to address what he described as Israeli aggression against the Palestinian people. The military operation in Jenin follows a broader escalation in the region, with Israel shifting its focus to the West Bank after a recent ceasefire in Gaza between Israel and the militant group Hamas. Jenin, a long-standing center of Palestinian resistance, has frequently been targeted by Israeli security forces due to the presence of armed groups within the refugee camp.
The Israeli military shared images of firearms, ammunition, and gas canisters, alleging that these were found in Jenin during the operation. However, they did not specify the exact location of these discoveries. In addition to demolishing buildings, Israeli forces reportedly raided several areas within the camp to locate and seize weapons. The Jenin Government Hospital Director, Wisam Baker, confirmed that part of the hospital sustained damage due to the explosions but reported no casualties. The destruction has left many Palestinian families displaced, adding to the growing humanitarian crisis in the region.
Jenin’s refugee camp is home to thousands of descendants of Palestinians who were displaced during the 1948 Arab-Israeli war. Over the years, the camp has become a focal point of armed resistance and a frequent target of Israeli military operations. The latest offensive, which began on January 21, involved Israeli forces using helicopters and armored bulldozers to clear suspected militant hideouts. Israeli officials view the West Bank as a key battleground in their conflict with Iranian-backed groups operating in Gaza, Lebanon, and Yemen. As the fighting continues, tensions between Israel and Palestinian factions in the West Bank are expected to escalate further.
