Israeli Forces Withdraw from Jenin Following Major ‘Anti-Terror’ Operation

On September 6, Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) withdrew from the West Bank city of Jenin and its Palestinian refugee camp after a significant nine-day “anti-terror” operation, marking one of the most extensive military actions in the region over the last twenty years.

According to the Palestinian Ministry of Health, at least 36 Palestinians lost their lives during what it termed a military onslaught, with several others seriously wounded. The fatalities, claimed primarily by armed factions, included children and elderly individuals.

The operation involved hundreds of Israeli soldiers and security personnel, leading to a lockdown of civilians, who faced disrupted utilities amid air strikes and ground confrontations. The BBC reported that among the casualties were at least eight civilians, including a 16-year-old girl.

The aftermath of the operation saw widespread destruction across Jenin, which also impacted nearby areas such as Tubas and the al-Faraa refugee camp. Residents expressed concern about potential reprisals, recalling previous incursions by the Israeli military, as reported by the Palestinian-run WAFA News Agency.

Ongoing fears of further military action were heightened by the presence of Israeli checkpoints around Jenin, adding to the atmosphere of uncertainty and anxiety among the locals.

An operational briefing regarding the “counterterrorism” initiative was shared on X by the IDF, stating that 14 individuals branded as terrorists had been “eliminated” during the operation. Among the captured were over 30 suspects, and around 30 explosive devices that were placed under or beside roads were defused.

The IDF claimed significant dismantling of terrorist infrastructure, including an underground weapons storage facility hidden beneath a mosque and a laboratory intended for explosive manufacturing. It was reported that Wassem Hazem, the leader of Hamas in Jenin, had been killed; he was accused of orchestrating shooting and explosive attacks in the region and promoting terror activities in Judea and Samaria.

Despite these claims, the IDF has not confirmed that the operation has officially ended. Their Hebrew language account concluded with a statement that the forces would “continue the operation until its objectives are achieved.”

Additionally, Palestinian health officials reported that three more Palestinians died in Hebron, marking a separate incident related to ongoing violence in the West Bank. It was noted that one of the deceased had shot three Israeli police officers near Tarqumiyah earlier in the week, according to information from the IDF.

When the operation in Jenin commenced on August 28, Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz highlighted that the goal was to “thwart Islamic-Iranian terrorist infrastructure.” He accused Iran of attempting to create a “terrorist front” in the region, asserting that Israel needed to conduct military operations in territories west of the Jordan River, similar to those carried out in Gaza.

Since the beginning of the increased military actions, figures from the Palestinian health ministry indicate that at least 600 Palestinians have died in the West Bank. This surge in violence follows the attacks on southern Israel on October 7 and the subsequent conflict in Gaza.

Israel has repeatedly argued that its military operations are crucial for preventing violence against Israeli citizens in both the West Bank and Israel, which it contends is escalating.