At approximately 1 a.m. (0100) local time, Palestinian sources reported a buildup of Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) vehicles near the border as the Palestinian Authority pulled out of the areas surrounding Jenin and Nablus in the West Bank. Moments later, explosions rocked Jenin as Israeli aircraft hit targets believed to belong to the Palestinian Islamic Jihad.
As previously reported Israel claims to be targeting “terror infrastructure”, while Palestinian forces claim the strikes hit residential buildings and hospitals.
Shortly after the initial bombings, IDF vehicles crossed into the area, and armed clashes erupted as Israeli vehicles moved through the Satah Marhaba neighborhood in Ramallah. In response, militants opened fire on Israeli checkpoints at Beit Furik, Beit El, and Awarta.
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The Israel Defense Forces announced that “security forces are now engaged in a widescale effort to thwart terror throughout Jenin” shortly after 1 a.m. local time.
During the fighting in Jenin, Palestinian militants used explosive devices to allegedly disable two Israeli vehicles.
Around 3:30 a.m. (0330), fighting had reportedly spread to Azzun, with further attacks on the Israeli checkpoints reported in Tulkarem and Deir Sharaf.
As dawn broke, Israeli Namer armored personnel vehicles and possibly Merkava tanks were spotted making their way towards Jenin. Israeli bulldozers were also recorded as they began to demolish several buildings.
Palestinian forces claim to have shot down an Israeli drone around this time, though it has not been confirmed.
At 6:26 am (0626) local time, the military tweeted, “The IDF and the Shin Bet have been operating in recent hours in a limited and focused operation in the city of Jenin to counter terrorism.” The IDF has previously referred to Jenin as a “terror safe haven”. As previously reported, they also that stated the main target of the operation was a “joint war room” for the Jenin Brigade.
“The operational command center also served as an advanced observation and reconnaissance center, a place where armed terrorists would gather before and after terrorist activities,” the IDF stated, adding that it was a “site for weapons and explosives” and a “hub for coordination and communication among the terrorists.”
“Additionally, the command center provided shelter for wanted individuals involved in carrying out terror attacks in recent months in the area.”
Israel Defense Forces spokesman Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari told reporters, “We did not come to occupy the refugee camp; this is not an operation against the Palestinian Authority but against the terror groups in Jenin.”
Reports indicate about 1,000 Israeli soldiers participated in the maneuver, with four Palestinians killed and at least thirteen injured thus far, according to the Palestinian Health Ministry. No Israeli soldiers were hurt in the fighting.
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