Army helicopters opened fire on gunmen to help extract soldiers, IDF says
Violent clashes erupted Monday in Jenin, in the northern West Bank, following an anti-terrorist operation carried out by Israeli forces. During the clashes between armed Palestinians and Israeli soldiers, a Tsahal helicopter fired two missiles. The Israeli operation was still ongoing at 10:45 a.m. The Israeli army claimed to be carrying out an operation aimed at arresting “wanted suspects”, during which “a very intense exchange of fire” took place between the Israeli forces and armed men. “Army helicopters opened fire on armed men to assist in the extraction of soldiers,” a military statement said.
According to a source within Palestinian intelligence, this is the first time that a helicopter has used missiles on Jenin since the end of the Second Intifada (Palestinian uprising, 2000-2005).
The Israeli army said that a military vehicle had been damaged by one of several explosive devices thrown at its soldiers. The latter “responded to live ammunition”, added the army.
Three Palestinians were killed in the raid, the Palestinian Health Ministry said, adding that 31 people were also injured. For its part, the Israeli army indicated that seven of its soldiers had been injured.
Footage circulating on social media shows Israeli forces operating in the city, with the sound of heavy gunfire playing in the background. Two wanted terrorists, Assem Abu al-Haija and Mussab Hassan al-Barmaki, were arrested during the operation.