Violence in the West Bank escalates again. Israeli soldiers engage in a firefight with militant Palestinians. Several people are killed, probably civilians among them.
According to Palestinian sources, nine people were killed in a raid by the Israeli military in Jenin in the West Bank. Around 20 others were injured, including four seriously, according to the Ramallah Ministry of Health. It was one of the deadliest military operations in the West Bank in years.
The Israeli military said the forces came under fire trying to arrest several members of the Palestinian militant organization Islamic Jihad. Gunshots were then answered. Three armed suspects were therefore hit. Four others were arrested. The cell is said to be suspected of planning a terrorist attack. Reports of further deaths would be examined, it said.
Jenin is considered a stronghold of militant Palestinians. Deadly confrontations occur again and again.
Escalation of the situation possible
The Israeli media reported, citing political circles in Jerusalem, that after the operation one had to be prepared for a possible escalation in the conflict with the Palestinians. Islamic Jihad is particularly active in the Gaza Strip, from where it regularly carries out rocket attacks on Israel. A spokesman for the organization said in Gaza on Thursday: “The steadfastness and bravery of the resistance in Jenin is a clear sign of upholding the right of defense, regardless of the sacrifices it demands.”
Last summer, the Israeli army launched a large-scale military operation against leading members of the Palestinian organization. They then fired more than 1,000 rockets from the Gaza Strip at Israeli towns. After three days of fighting, a ceasefire was agreed. More than 40 people were killed in the Gaza Strip. Hundreds were injured.
A statement by Gaza’s ruling Hamas said the “massacre in Jenin” was an example of the new Israeli cabinet instructing Israeli soldiers to use more force against Palestinians. Hamas is classified as a terrorist organization by the EU, among others.
Call for a general strike
A general strike and clashes with Israeli soldiers were called in the West Bank on Thursday. Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammed Shtaye expressed his condolences to the victims’ families and called on the international community to “urgently intervene to protect the Palestinian people and end the bloodshed of children, youth and women.”
The situation in the West Bank has been very tense for a long time. Since a series of attacks carried out by Palestinians in the past year, the Israeli army has been carrying out more raids there. Deadly confrontations occur again and again. This year, 29 Palestinians have already been killed in connection with military operations or their own attacks, including five young people. Last year there were 172 Palestinians, more than at any time since 2006.
In 1967, Israel conquered the West Bank and East Jerusalem, among others. More than 600,000 Israeli settlers live there today. The Palestinians claim the territories for an independent state of Palestine with the Arab-influenced eastern part of Jerusalem as the capital.
Source: Stern
I have been working in the news industry for over 6 years, first as a reporter and now as an editor. I have covered politics extensively, and my work has appeared in major newspapers and online news outlets around the world. In addition to my writing, I also contribute regularly to 24 Hours World.
