After Agreeing To A Ceasefire In Gaza, Israel Killed 12 Palestinians In A Huge Military Operation In The West Bank
The operation called “Iron Wall” was expected to go on for “at least several days”, Al Jazeera reported.
After Israel agreed on a ceasefire deal with Hamas that includes a halt in fighting in Gaza, it launched a “large-scale and significant military operation” in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, killing at least 12 people as of Thursday, Jan. 23.
The operation called “Iron Wall” was expected to go on for “at least several days”, Al Jazeera reported.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in a statement that the operation aims to “eradicate terrorism” and is part of a broader strategy against Iran “wherever it sends its arms -— in Gaza, Lebanon, Syria, Yemen” and the West Bank.
Israel has deployed extensive ground troops, armored vehicles and air support as part of the operation.
Jenin Governor Kamal Abu al-Rub called the action “an invasion”, according to the AFP.
“It came quickly,” he said. “Apache planes in the sky and Israeli military vehicles everywhere.”
The Palestinian Health Ministry reported that the violence included live ammunition and airstrikes targeting the Jenin refugee camp and that at least 35 people were injured.
The Palestinian Authority (PA) said that Israeli forces attacked civilians and security personnel, injuring many security personnel and leaving one in critical condition, according to Al Jazeera.
However, the PA launched earlier on Dec. 5 its own “security campaign” to crack down on what it called “outlaws” in the Jenin area, particularly in the Jenin refugee camp.
The Jenin refugee camp has long been a symbol of resistance and a reminder of the “right to return,” which is the right of displaced Palestinians to return to their homes.
It was created in 1953 to shelter Palestinians who were ethnically cleansed from their homes during the 1948 war, according to Al Jazeera.
Since then, Jenin has emerged as a stronghold of Palestinian armed resistance against Israeli occupation.
More On The Ceasefire In Gaza
Kassy Cho
Kassy Cho
Kassy Cho
