In one of the most significant military incursions in the occupied West Bank in years, Israeli forces have completed their withdrawal from Jenin refugee camp after a brutal two-day operation that has left the area devastated and communities reeling.
Operation's Heavy Toll
The extensive military campaign resulted in the deaths of at least twelve Palestinians, with dozens more injured during intense fighting. The Israeli military confirmed one soldier lost his life in the operations, marking a sombre conclusion to the large-scale mission.
Witnesses described scenes of widespread destruction as armoured bulldozers tore through the narrow streets of the crowded refugee camp, damaging infrastructure and leaving many homes uninhabitable. The operation targeted what Israel describes as militant command centres and weapons storage facilities.
Militant Stronghold Targeted
Jenin refugee camp has long been considered a stronghold for Palestinian militant groups, including Hamas and Islamic Jihad. Israeli defence officials stated the operation aimed to dismantle terrorist infrastructure and prevent imminent attacks against Israeli citizens.
"This was a necessary operation to protect our people," an Israeli military spokesperson stated. "We targeted specific threats while making efforts to minimise civilian casualties."
Humanitarian Crisis Unfolds
As the dust settles, humanitarian organisations are assessing the extensive damage to the camp's already fragile infrastructure. Thousands of residents were forced to flee their homes during the fighting, with many returning to find their neighbourhoods transformed into landscapes of rubble and debris.
Local medical facilities struggled to cope with the influx of casualties, with doctors reporting severe injuries and critical shortages of medical supplies during the height of the conflict.
International Response
The operation has drawn international concern, with several countries calling for restraint and a return to dialogue. The United Nations has expressed alarm at the scale of the military action and the impact on civilian populations.
Palestinian authorities have condemned the operation as "excessive and disproportionate," while Israeli officials maintain the action was necessary to counter specific security threats emanating from the area.
The withdrawal marks the end of this particular operation, but the underlying tensions in the region remain unresolved, with both sides bracing for potential further violence in the ongoing conflict.
