The Israeli military has begun withdrawing its troops from the Jenin refugee camp in the West Bank. However, fighting between the troops and Palestinian militants continued.
Israel’s army has begun withdrawing its troops from Jenin in the occupied West Bank about two days after the start of a large-scale military operation. As the military announced, the first soldiers left the city late Tuesday evening. However, it is still unclear how long the withdrawal of all forces will last.
According to Palestinian reports, fierce gun battles broke out with armed residents as the withdrawal began. Videos posted on social media showed explosive devices being thrown at a column of military vehicles.
Netanyahu announced withdrawal
The withdrawal of the army comes as no surprise: Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had previously indicated that the operation would end soon. According to media reports, during a visit to a military post near Jenin, Netanyahu said: “In these moments we will complete the mission.” However, he added that the “action” was “not a one-off event” – Israel would “continue as long as necessary”.
Violent exchanges of fire with armed residents
According to the army, the aim of the operation was to smash the “terrorist infrastructure” of Islamist extremists. Specifically, Israel began one of the largest military operations in the West Bank in decades on Monday night.
After several air strikes, the army had moved into the Palestinian city with around a thousand soldiers. There, the military fought several violent exchanges of fire with armed residents.
Large military vehicles caused serious damage to roads and buildings. According to the army, they should remove booby traps. Thousands of residents left the camp. People reported electricity and water were cut off.
dead on both sides
The army announced during the night that an Israeli non-commissioned officer had been shot. On the Israeli side, he is the first casualty since the military offensive began on Monday. Further details were not disclosed. On the other side, at least 12 Palestinians were killed and more than 100 injured.
According to the army, several command centers, weapons depots, weapon production facilities and hiding places of suspects have been destroyed in the past few days. In addition, 30 suspects were arrested.
Jenin is considered a stronghold of militant Palestinians. Several residents of the city have carried out deadly attacks on Israelis in recent years.
attack in Tel Aviv
Meanwhile, a member of the Gaza Strip’s ruling Hamas steered a car into a crowd at a bus stop in the Israeli Mediterranean city of Tel Aviv – then stabbed those present. Paramedics said at least eight people were injured.