Jenin and its refugee camp are known strongholds of Palestinian militant groups

Shooting, explosions in Jenin as Israel presses raid

22 Jan 2025, 10:23 · RTE.ie

A Palestinian official reported shooting and explosions in the flashpoint West Bank town of Jenin as Israeli forces pressed a raid that the military described as a "counter terrorism" operation.

"The situation is very difficult," Governor of Jenin Kamal Abu al-Rub said.

He added: "The occupation army has bulldozed all the roads leading to the Jenin camp and leading to the Jenin Governmental Hospital... There is shooting and explosions."

Yesterday, Israeli forces launched an operation in Jenin which Palestinian officials said killed 10 people, just days after a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas took effect in Gaza.

According to Mr Abu al-Rub, Israeli forces detained around 20 people from villages near Jenin, a bastion of Palestinian militancy.

The Israeli military said it had launched a "counter terrorism operation" in the area, and had "hit over 10 terrorists".

"Additionally, aerial strikes on terror infrastructure sites were conducted and numerous explosives planted on the routes by the terrorists were dismantled," it said in a statement.

"The Israeli forces are continuing the operation."

Israeli military vehicles patrol the streets as the Israeli army carried out a raid on the Jenin Refugee Camp on 21 January

'Decisive operation aimed at eliminating terrorists'

Defence Minister Israel Katz vowed to continue the assault.

"It is a decisive operation aimed at eliminating terrorists in the camp," Mr Katz said in a statement, adding that the military would not allow a "terror front" to be established there.

The Israeli military and the Shin Bet security agency announced yesterday that, in coordination with the Border Police, they had launched an operation named 'Iron Wall' in the area.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the raid aimed to "eradicate terrorism" in Jenin.

He linked the operation to a broader strategy of countering Iran "wherever it sends its arms - in Gaza, Lebanon, Syria, Yemen," and the West Bank.

The Israeli government has accused Iran, which supports armed groups across the Middle East including Hamas in Gaza, of attempting to funnel weapons and funds to militants in the West Bank.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the raid aimed to "eradicate terrorism" in Jenin

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called for "maximum restraint" from Israeli security forces and expressed deep concern, according to his deputy spokesman, Farhan Haq.

Jenin and its refugee camp are known strongholds of Palestinian militant groups and Israeli forces frequently carry out raids targeting armed factions in the area.

Violence has surged throughout the occupied West Bank since the Gaza war erupted on 7 October 2023.

According to the Palestinian health ministry, Israeli troops or settlers have killed at least 848 Palestinians in the West Bank since the Gaza conflict began.

Meanwhile, at least 29 Israelis have been killed in Palestinian attacks or during Israeli military operations in the territory during the same period, according to official Israeli figures.