Israeli military’s raid on Jenin intensifies, with evacuation orders issued as violence escalates in the West Bank.
Hundreds of residents in Jenin, a volatile area in the occupied West Bank, began evacuating their homes on Thursday, January 23, as Israeli forces continued a deadly operation. The Israeli military, which launched the raid earlier this week, is conducting the operation in the heart of Palestinian militancy, just days after a ceasefire in Gaza brought temporary relief.
The operation, known as “Iron Wall”, has been linked to Israel’s broader strategy of countering Iranian influence in the region. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has stated that the goal is to “eradicate terrorism” in the area, further accusing Iran of supplying weapons and funds to armed groups in Palestine and beyond.
Jenin’s governor, Kamal Abu al-Rub, told AFP that Israeli forces had used drones and military vehicles equipped with loudspeakers to demand the evacuation of residents from the camp. However, the Israeli army denied issuing any such evacuation orders.
The operation has already resulted in at least 12 Palestinian deaths and 40 injuries, according to Palestinian health officials. Jenin resident Salim Saadi said many are fleeing on foot, as they fear imminent incursions by the Israeli army.
On the ground, AFP footage showed families making their way down muddy roads, with the ominous sound of drones overhead. Meanwhile, Israeli forces reported that they had killed two Palestinian militants near Jenin, who were accused of killing three Israelis in a January 6 attack.
The West Bank has seen a sharp rise in violence since the start of the Israel-Hamas war in October 2023, with more than 850 Palestinians killed by Israeli troops or settlers. In return, at least 29 Israelis, including soldiers, have been killed in Palestinian attacks or Israeli military operations in the area.
The raid on Jenin follows a fragile ceasefire in Gaza, which halted 15 months of conflict after the deadly Hamas attack on southern Israel in October 2023. The ongoing violence in the West Bank continues to compound the humanitarian crisis in the region.
