Israel’s military operation in the West Bank – Questions and Answers

The Israeli army continued its large-scale military offensive in the occupied West Bank on Tuesday. Several weapons and military equipment were confiscated in the Palestinian city of Jenin early in the morning, the army said. In addition, an underground shaft for storing explosives and “premises of terrorist organizations” were destroyed.

Meanwhile, the death toll since the military operation began has risen to ten. The body of a Palestinian with gunshot wounds was found on Tuesday night, the Ministry of Health in Ramallah said. In addition, of the 100 injured, 20 are still in critical condition.

What is the background of the military operation? Questions and answers:

What is happening in Jenin right now?

Israel launched one of the largest military operations in the West Bank in decades on Monday night. After several airstrikes, the army moved into the city of Jenin, which is actually under the control of the Palestinian Authority, with more than a thousand soldiers. In the city, which is less than 80 kilometers as the crow flies from Jerusalem, the military fought hours of firefights with armed residents.

Why did Israel’s army enter Jenin?

Jenin and its refugee camp have repeatedly been the scene of clashes between Israeli soldiers and Palestinian militants. The Israeli army regularly conducts raids in the area, which is theoretically under the control of President Mahmoud Abbas’ Palestinian Authority.

According to the army, the raids are aimed at terrorist infrastructure. Jenin and the refugee camp there with around 17,000 inhabitants are considered a stronghold of militant Palestinians. The various groups are financed primarily by Iran, an archenemy of the State of Israel. In recent years, residents of the city have repeatedly carried out attacks on Israelis.

Two weeks ago, seven people were killed in a raid by the Israeli army in the refugee camp. The army fired missiles from a helicopter. Shortly afterwards, four Israelis died when two armed Palestinians attacked a gas station near the settlement of Eli. In the same week, the Israeli army killed three members of a “terror cell” in a drone attack near Jenin.

How does Israel’s government justify the operation?

“In recent months, Jenin has become a haven for terrorism, from which insidious attacks have been launched on Israeli men, women and children,” Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Monday evening. Earlier, Netanyahu said the army had “entered the terrorist nest in Jenin, they are destroying command centers and seizing a significant number of weapons.”

“Israeli soldiers are doing everything they can to avoid killing civilians, while Israel is doing everything it can to exercise its right to self-defense.” The aim is to eliminate all those “who want to destroy our country”. The military offensive will last as long as necessary “to complete the mission.”

How are the residents of Jenin?

According to Palestinian reports, thousands of people were evacuated from the refugee camp during the night and taken to nearby emergency shelters. It was initially unclear whether this was ordered by the army. According to Israeli media reports, Israeli security officials denied that there had been an evacuation order.

In Jenin shops were closed on Tuesday. Few people were out on the streets strewn with rubble and burnt barricades, an AFP reporter said.

How are the authorities in the West Bank reacting?

After a meeting of its leadership, the Palestinian Authority reiterated that there would still be no cooperation with Israel on security issues. The autonomy authority had already made similar announcements in the past – but they were not implemented. In the past, cooperation included, among other things, the exchange of secret service information to prevent terrorist attacks and the coordination of large-scale operations in the areas controlled solely by the Palestinian Authority.

What’s next?

Israeli army spokesman Daniel Hagari told reporters that the Israeli army “has no intention of staying in the camp.” However, she is preparing for the “more serious situation” of fighting longer in the area.

After the start of the military operation, numerous shops and public facilities in the West Bank and East Jerusalem remained closed in protest on Tuesday. Several Palestinian organizations had previously called for a one-day general strike. Rallies were also planned in several places.

What is the situation in Israel and the West Bank?

The security situation in Israel and in the West Bank, with its approximately three million inhabitants, has been tense for a long time. Since the beginning of the year, more than two dozen people have died in attacks by Palestinians. During the same period, around 150 Palestinians were killed in violent clashes, Israeli military operations or through their own attacks.

Israel conquered the West Bank and East Jerusalem in the 1967 Six Day War. Today more than 600,000 Israeli settlers live there in over 200 settlements. The Palestinians claim the territories as part of their own state. However, a two-state solution to the decades-long Middle East conflict seems a long way off. Negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians have been on hold since 2014.