Israel’s strongest foray into the occupied West Bank in years has entered another day.
About 1,000 troops, heralded by intense drone strikes and accompanied by armored vehicles, have swept through the narrow streets and alleys of the Jenin refugee camp in what Israeli officials described as an effort to root out armed militants after months of escalating violence. .
Tuesday also saw a car ram and stab attack in Tel Aviv, raising fears of a spiraling tit-for-tat.
This year has already been one of the deadliest for Palestinians in the West Bank in more than a decade, with more than 140 killed in the past six months. Most died in armed clashes during Israeli military raids, although some were bystanders. It has also been one of the deadliest years for Israelis in some time, with at least 24 killed in Arab attacks, almost all of them civilians.
Israeli military officials said more than 50 shooting attacks had been carried out against Israeli targets in the past six months from the Jenin area, a stronghold for Palestinian militant groups, and that the operation there aimed to “break the safe haven mentality” . of the camp. A member of the local committee that manages the camp said the raid had turned it into “a war zone in the full sense of the word”.
Here’s a selection of footage that has surfaced since the Israeli operation began around 1 a.m. Monday.
Tuesday
Residents of the Jenin refugee camp fled their homes as the Israeli army continued the operation.
A Palestinian injured in a confrontation with Israeli forces.
Damage caused by the Jenin raid.
Israeli soldiers fired tear gas canisters into Jenin.
Inspection of bodies in a hospital morgue in Jenin.
Vehicles of the Israeli army in the Jenin refugee camp.
Several Israelis were injured in what authorities say was a car-ramming and stabbing attack in Tel Aviv.
Israeli authorities said a civilian shot and killed the attacker.
A Palestinian takes cover from tear gas in Jenin.
A destroyed car in the aftermath of the Israeli army operation.
Monday
Palestinians fleeing the refugee camp.
Palestinians take cover during clashes with Israeli soldiers.
Palestinian armed militants during clashes with Israeli soldiers in the town of Jenin.
Israeli drones over Jenin during the military operation.
An injured Palestinian man is taken to a hospital.
Palestinian youths burned tires and rubbish during the clashes.
About 1,000 Israeli troops took part in the operation.
Transporting a wounded Israeli soldier to be transported to a hospital by military helicopter.
Palestinian youths come face to face with an Israeli armored vehicle.
