Israeli forces intensify raid on Jenin, with residents forced to evacuate amid rising casualties.
On Thursday, January 23, hundreds of residents in Jenin, a volatile city in the West Bank, were forced to flee their homes as Israeli forces continued their deadly operation. The military raid, which began earlier in the week, is targeting a stronghold of Palestinian militancy and has escalated violence in the region, just days after a temporary ceasefire brought brief relief to Gaza.
The Israeli operation, named “Iron Wall,” is part of a broader strategy aimed at countering Iranian influence in the area. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has stated that the operation’s purpose is to “eradicate terrorism” in the region, accusing Iran of providing weapons and funding to militant groups in Palestine and beyond.
Despite reports of evacuation orders issued through drones and loudspeakers in the camp, Jenin’s governor, Kamal Abu al-Rub, confirmed that residents were being urged to leave. However, the Israeli army denied that such orders had been given.
At least 12 Palestinians have been killed, and 40 others have been injured during the operation, according to health officials. Many residents, including Salim Saadi, are fleeing on foot, fearing the impending incursion by Israeli forces. AFP footage captured families moving along muddy roads with the sound of drones overhead, highlighting the tense atmosphere.
Israeli forces reported the deaths of two Palestinian militants near Jenin, accused of involvement in a deadly attack that claimed the lives of three Israelis on January 6. The ongoing violence has led to a dramatic increase in casualties in the West Bank since the outbreak of the Israel-Hamas war in October 2023, with over 850 Palestinians killed by Israeli forces or settlers, and at least 29 Israelis killed in retaliatory attacks.
The raid on Jenin follows a temporary ceasefire in Gaza, which halted months of conflict following the devastating Hamas attack on southern Israel in October. However, the violence in the West Bank continues to exacerbate the region’s already dire humanitarian situation.
