Israel conducted a raid in the occupied West Bank, resulting in the deaths of four Palestinians, including a militant. The operation involved the deployment of helicopters, which is a rare occurrence in the region. The incident led to seven Israeli security personnel being wounded. The violence in Jenin escalated throughout the day, with gunshots echoing across the city and wounded Palestinians being transported to hospitals. This article examines the details of the raid, the casualties, international reactions, and the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
- The Raid in Jenin: Israeli forces launched the raid in Jenin at approximately 4:00 am, storming the city and refugee camp. The operation involved a large number of troops, resulting in intense gunfire and clashes with Palestinians. The Israeli army was conducting routine activity to apprehend two wanted suspects affiliated with Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad.
- Casualties and Victims: The Palestinian health ministry reported that four individuals were killed, including a 15-year-old teenager named Ahmed Saqer. The other victims were identified as Khaled Assassa (21) and Qassam Abu Saria (29), who was claimed by Palestinian Islamic Jihad as a fighter. Additionally, at least 62 Palestinians sustained injuries during the violence.
- Helicopter Deployment: In a rare move, an Apache helicopter fired missiles in support of the Israeli soldiers during the operation. Witnesses reported seeing the helicopter fire two missiles. This was the first time since 2002 that the Israeli army had used aircraft-fired missiles during a raid in Jenin.
- International Reactions: Volker Turk, the United Nations rights chief, expressed extreme concern over the deteriorating situation, noting an increase in unlawful killings of Palestinians by Israeli security forces. The Palestinian health minister called for urgent medical supplies to be sent to Jenin, emphasizing the gravity of the situation. Hussein al-Sheikh, the Palestinian Authority’s civil affairs minister, denounced the raid as an “open war” waged by Israeli forces against the Palestinian people.
- Escalation of Violence: Over the past year, violence in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict has escalated. This period coincided with the rise of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s hard-right government in December. The situation has resulted in a higher number of unlawful killings and extrajudicial executions.
- Ongoing Israeli-Palestinian Conflict: Israel has occupied the West Bank since the 1967 Six-Day War, and its forces frequently conduct incursions into Palestinian cities nominally under the control of the Palestinian Authority. Jenin and its refugee camp have been hotspots for clashes between Israel and Palestinians. Similar incidents have occurred in the past, leading to casualties on both sides.
- Recent Incidents and Casualties: In March, four Palestinians were killed during a raid on the Jenin refugee camp. In January, ten Palestinians lost their lives during another operation in the camp, marking the deadliest single raid in the West Bank in 20 years. In the broader context of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, at least 163 Palestinians, 21 Israelis, a Ukrainian, and an Italian have been killed this year alone.
Read more: 3 year old Palestinian boy fatally shot by Israeli forces
The raid in Jenin, resulting in the deaths of four Palestinians and the deployment of helicopters by the Israeli army, has escalated tensions in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The incident highlights the ongoing violence and loss of life in the region. International concerns have been raised over the increasing number of unlawful killings. As the conflict persists, efforts for peace and stability remain imperative to ensure the safety and well-being of both Palestinians and Israelis.
