The United Nations reacts with concern to Israel’s offensive in the West Bank. According to Palestinian sources, the number of dead is now at least eight people. Meanwhile, President Abbas has suspended contact with Israel.
For the first time in two decades, Israel has launched a large-scale military offensive in the West Bank. After several air strikes on Monday night, the army moved into the Palestinian city of Jenin with ground troops.
In view of the situation, the Secretary-General of the United Nations, Antonio Guterres, was deeply concerned about the developments. He “reaffirms that all military operations must be conducted in full respect of international humanitarian law,” UN deputy spokesman Farhan Haq said in a statement.
Lynn Hastings, UN Humanitarian Coordinator in the Palestinian Territories, said she was alarmed by the scale of the military operation. The United Nations was mobilizing humanitarian aid, she said.
Abbas cuts off contact with Israel
Meanwhile, the office of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas said it had suspended contact and security coordination with Israel. This was reported by the Reuters news agency. The decision came after Abbas met with other senior Palestinian Authority officials. Abbas has temporarily suspended coordination with Israel during previous outbreaks of violence.
According to the Palestinian Ministry of Health, at least eight Palestinians have now been killed and at least 50 injured. In ten cases, the injuries are critical, it said. Separately, a 21-year-old Palestinian man was fatally shot by Israeli soldiers near the city of Ramallah.
Israel reports explosive device found
Israeli military spokesman Richard Hecht said the aim of the military operation, which began shortly after 1 a.m., was to confiscate and destroy weapons. An airstrike was flown on a building that had been used by extremists to prepare attacks. In the morning, soldiers were still in the Jenin refugee camp, which is also used by extremists. Black smoke rose over the streets of the refugee camp.
The state-run Palestinian news agency Wafa reported that the military blocked roads inside the camp, seized houses and buildings and placed snipers on rooftops. The military cut power to large parts of the area. Military bulldozers caused damage.
Hecht said around 2,000 soldiers were involved in the operation. There have been drone strikes to make way for ground troops. There have not been any attacks of this magnitude since 2006, according to Hecht. In the afternoon, the army announced that it had discovered three weapons workshops and seized hundreds of explosive devices. Two Palestinians were hit in shootings. Soldiers also found explosive devices, weapons and military equipment in a mosque. There was an exchange of gunfire.