The raid is described by the IDF as a “counter-terrorist operation” and according to Israeli President Benjamin Netanyahu, the aim is “to stop terrorists who want to destroy Israel”.
At least 11 Palestinians were killed and over 100 were injured, 20 of them seriously, when the military attacked, among other things, a refugee camp, according to the Palestinian Ministry of Health.
In the 44 hours the operation was underway, the IDF claims to have interrogated 300 suspects and arrested 30. Additionally, the IDF says the raid was not a one-off. It should make it easier for the future operation in Jenin, writes the Times of Israel.
Started on Monday
The operation began on the night of the month and a total of 2,000 Israeli soldiers are said to have participated. About 3,000 Palestinians have left the Jenin refugee camp as a result, according to Deputy Governor Kamal Abu al-Roub, while around 18,000 people still remain. The UN describes the scope of the military operation as “alarming”, according to Reuters
The violence has escalated
The Palestinian Ministry of Foreign Affairs calls the whole thing “an open war against the people”. During Monday evening, the office of Palestinian President Mahmud Abbas announced that he is suspending all contacts and all security cooperation with Israel.
The Arab League called an emergency meeting on Tuesday to “discuss an Arab mobilization to meet Israel’s attack on Jenin,” according to a statement.
In recent weeks, violence has escalated in the West Bank. The UN Security Council has called on both Israel and Palestine to avoid actions that could increase tensions.
During Tuesday, a car also drove into a crowd in Israeli Tel Aviv, which Islamist Hamas has claimed and called revenge for the military raid.