Description

Photo:
Slain Palestinians: Samih Firas Abu Al-Wafa, 21, Aws Hani Hannoun, 19, Husam Mohammad Abu Theeba, 18, Noureddin Husam Marshoud, 16, Mohammad Mohannad Shami, 23, Ahmad Mohammad Al-Amer, 21, Ali Hani Al-Ghoul, 17, and Majdi Ar’arawi, 17. Published by IMEMC News

Smoke billows from houses inside a refugee camp in the occupied West Bank city of Jenin on Monday morning. Credit: JAAFAR ASHTIYEH / AFP Published by Haaretz

See videos at IMEMC News Source link.
____

by IMEMC News
July 3, 2023

Updated: On Monday dawn, Israeli war jets fired many missiles into the Jenin refugee camp in the northern West Bank city of Jenin, killing at least eight Palestinians, including a child, and wounding more than fifty, ten seriously, including gunshot wounds to the head and the back, as the army advanced into the area and surrounded it. So far, the army carried out more than twenty airstrikes. The offensive on Jenin is ongoing.

The soldiers also fired dozens of gas bombs around the Jenin Governmental Hospital, causing many patients and residents, including children receiving treatment at the medical facility, to suffer the effects of tear gas inhalation.

Despite the heavy casualties, a senior Israeli government official told the Israeli Ynet News that the offensive is “proceeding as planned” and added that the time-limited offensive will continue as needed.”

The official also told Ynet that there is no international pressure “to stop the time-limited” offensive.

Update: The Palestinian Health Ministry said the eight slain Palestinians have been identified as Samih Firas Abu Al-Wafa, 21, Aws Hani Hannoun, 19, Husam Mohammad Abu Theeba, 18, Noureddin Husam Marshoud, 16, Mohammad Mohannad Shami, 23, Ahmad Mohammad Al-Amer, 21, Ali Hani Al-Ghoul, 17, and Majdi Ar’arawi, 17.

Update: The Israeli army fired two missiles at an apartment building consisting of three floors owned by Abu Eyad Sabbagh in the Jenin refugee camp.

The missiles struck the third floor of the building and damaged it, each floor of the building contained two apartments.

The army also fired many live rounds at Palestinians in front of the Emergency Department of Ibin Sina Hospital in Jenin and used many Palestinians as human shields in the Jenin refugee camp.

Five of the slain Palestinians have been identified as Samih Firas Abu Al-Wafa, 21, Aws Hannoun, and Husam Mohammad Abu Theeba; Israeli soldiers shot them in their chests, Noureddin Husam Marshoud, who the soldiers shot in the head and Mohammad Mohannad Shami.

– The Israeli army is invading and causing damage to dozens of homes in the Jenin refugee camp and is damaging some of their walls to allow the soldiers to fire at the Palestinians in the streets without being seen.

– An Israeli military drone fired a missile at a Palestinian home near the Al-Huriyyah Theater, wounding a child, many families took shelter in the theater which was also targeted by one missile.

– The Palestinians Health Ministry has confirmed a fifth Palestinian in Jenin.

– The Palestinians Health Ministry has confirmed a fourth Palestinian, only sixteen years of age, and added that the Israeli army also injured twenty-right, including seven who suffered critical injuries in Jenin.

– Four of the slain Palestinians have been officially identified as Samih Firas Abu Al-Wafa, 21, Aws Hanin Hannoun, and Husam Mohammad Abu Theeba, all were shot by Israeli soldiers in their chests, and Noureddin Husam Marshoud, who the soldiers shot in the head.

– Dr. Wisam Bakr, the head of the Jenin governmental hospital, said Palestinian medics face serious difficulties and danger due to the Israeli siege, ongoing onslaught, and the deliberate targeting of ambulances.

– The Israeli army is preventing medics from entering the Jenin refugee camp and bulldozing streets.

– The Israeli Airforce carried out more than twenty strikes on the Jenin refugee camp, using fighter jets and armed drones. The bombing and large-scale military offensive are ongoing.

– The Israeli army destroyed two homes owned by Palestinians from Shalabi and Natour families after firing missiles at them and causing damage to surrounding homes and buildings.

– The Israeli army deliberately targeted electricity transformers and poles to ensure a blackout in Jenin refugee camp and its surrounding areas.

– The Israeli army targeted medics, ambulances, journalists, and media centers.

– Palestinian resistance fighters managed to shoot down and armed Israeli military drone.

– Israeli drones, helicopters, and fighter jets fired missiles at buildings and closed the street between Jenin and Jenin refugee camp.

– Israeli soldiers invaded many homes and buildings overlooking the Jenin refugee camp and deployed sharpshooters on rooftops.

– The Israeli army deployed tanks on hills and neighborhoods overlooking the Jenin refugee camp.

– The Israeli army bulldozed and destroyed streets leading to the Jenin refugee camp, preventing Palestinian ambulances and journalists from entering it.

– Israeli military bulldozers damage dozens of Palestinian cars parked near homes in areas close to the Jenin refugee camp.

– More Israeli tanks are being deployed in Jenin in preparation for a much larger military offensive on Jenin.

– Dozens of military vehicles also invaded several villages and towns around Jenin city, stormed and ransacked dozens of homes, and assaulted many Palestinians.

Israeli daily Haaretz said the Israeli army spokesperson Daniel Hagari confirmed that the soldiers invaded the Jenin refugee camp, however, Palestinian sources said all entrances to the refugee camp were blocked.

Haaretz stated that the Palestinians in Jenin received a message from the army, ordering them to remain in their homes, and added that “Hagari stressed that this is not an operation against the Palestinian Authority or the residents,” according to the Israeli report.

Hagari said the offensive in Jenin may continue and expand but is “currently limited to the Jenin area.”

The Israeli army claimed it targeted a “unified command center” used as an “advanced observation and reconnaissance center,” by Palestinian resistance fighters in Jenin, Haaretz added.

Published on: Jul 3, 2023, at 06:19: Over 200 armored Israeli military vehicles, including bulldozers, invaded Jenin city from several directions and advanced to surround the Jenin refugee camp before the soldiers stormed and occupied many homes and buildings.

The Israeli army is still pushing more vehicles into the area, while many tanks have been seen near the Al-Jalama military roadblock north of Jenin in preparation for invading Jenin.

Palestinian resistance fighters from various factions exchanged fire with the invading soldiers and military vehicles and detonated explosive charges near the armored vehicles.

The sources added that the missile caused massive damage and fire and stated that the soldiers refused to allow Palestinian medics to enter the area.

Medical sources in Jenin said the number of victims is likely higher, but the medics cannot enter invaded areas due to the ongoing offensive and closures.

So far, the confirmed number of injuries is 13 including three who suffered life-threatening wounds.

Most of the wounded are being treated by young men and women who have received first aid and emergency medical training over the past few months in preparation for the offensive, which Israel has been discussing for some time.

Palestine TV said the soldiers have also encircled its headquarters in Jenin and are using equipment to disrupt live coverage.

It added that the Israeli war jets and armed drones fired at least twenty missiles at several buildings in the Jenin refugee camp.

Furthermore, Palestinian resistance fighters in Jenin said they managed to destroy an armored Israeli military bulldozer after detonating an explosive charge near an Israeli military bulldozer.

The Israeli occupation army has confirmed it was conducting an extensive military offensive throughout Jenin refugee and the Jenin refugee camp and added that one of its airstrikes targeted a building allegedly used by Palestinian fighters where they gather, and store weapons and ammunition, according to the statement issued by the army and the Israeli Security Agency “Shin Bet.”

The army said more than 1000 soldiers and at least a hundred military vehicles are participating in the offensive.

|Israeli Soldiers Kill A Palestinian In Al-Biereh|

The number of victims in the ongoing Israeli offensive in Jenin is likely higher than what is being reported, especially since the army is imposing a tight siege on the invaded areas, denying the entry of ambulances and media outlets, in addition to causing power outages and disrupting internet and cellphone coverage.

Various Palestinian factions, including the Islamic Jihad, said the offensive would fail in achieving its goals and would only intensify the resistance against the Israeli occupation and more steadfastness and unity among the Palestinians.

The Al-Quds Brigades, the armed wing of the Islamic Jihad, said Palestinian resistance fighters would never surrender, Jenin would never surrender and added that Israel would fail in achieving its goals and bear the consequences of its offensive.

“All options are open to striking the enemy; we will retaliate to this aggression and continue to resist the occupation,” the Al-Quds Brigades stated.

— This is a developing story

First Published on July 3, 2023, at 04:24, and updated on July 3, 2023, at 08:15, Jul 3, 2023, at 09:21, Jul 3, 2023, at 10:08, Jul 3, 2023, at 10:37
____

Israeli Army Strikes Jenin in Large-scale 'Anti-terror' Operation; Eight Palestinians Killed

After drone strike on militant HQ, Jenin op continues with ground incursion, weapons seizure ■ At least eight killed, 80 wounded ■ Water supply to city cut off due to infrastructure damage ■ Security sources say op may 'accomplish goals within 48 hours' ■ Aerial defenses boosted in case of Gaza rockets ■ Palestinian president's spokesperson: 'war crime' ■ Israel warned U.S. in advance ■ White House says it is 'monitoring the situation closely'

The Palestinian Health Ministry identified one of the slain Palestinians as Samih Firas Abu Al-Wafa, 21, and seriously injured at least one when the army fired a missile at a home in the center of the refugee camp.
_____



by Jack Khoury, Yaniv Kubovich and Deiaa Haj Yahia for Haaretz
Jul 3, 2023 1:57 am IDT
Updated: Jul 3, 20236:37 pm IDT

The Israeli army Israeli forces hit the city of Jenin with drone strikes in the early hours of Monday as part of one of the biggest West Bank incursions in 20 years.

The IDF conducted air strikes on several targets within the Jenin refugee camp, after which Israeli ground forces entered and exchanged fire with armed Palestinians in the camp in the ongoing operation.

Eight Palestinians were killed while at least 100 others were wounded, 20 severely, according to the Palestinian Health Ministry. One Israeli soldier was lightly wounded from grenade shrapnel and taken to a hospital, the IDF Spokespersons Unit said.

According to the army, Israeli soldiers raided a mosque in the Jenin refugee camp, after identifying it as a hiding place for a group of Palestinian militants. The army later issued a statement saying its forces found weapons stashed in tunnels dug underneath the mosque.

Earlier on Monday, soldiers conducted weapons searches in houses in the camp, arresting 20 Palestinians so far. The IDF said that a laboratory for manufacturing explosives was discovered and parts of a rocket launcher have been confiscated, among other weapons.

According to the Jenin Municipality, the city's water supply was cut off due to severe damage to infrastructure.

The eight Palestinians who were killed were identified as Samih Firas Abu al-Wafa, 20, Hossam Abu Diba, 18, Ahmad al-amar, 21, Aws al-Hanoun, 18, Nour Eddin Husam Marshoud, 16, Mohammad Ashami, 23, Ali al-Joul, 17, and Majdi al-Ararawi, 17.

Earlier, Israeli forces raided what the military described as a “unified command center” for militants in the Jenin refugee camp, detailing “an advanced observation and reconnaissance center” where militants would gather to coordinate and prepare for attacks as well as gather afterward. The army also reported that the space served as a shelter for terror attack suspects in recent months.

Security sources estimated that the operation may "accomplish all goals within 24 to 48 hours." However, in the afternoon sources in the security establishment signaled that the operation may end as early as Monday night.

The IDF also announced it would increase its air defense systems in Israel's south in anticipation of possible rocket fire from Gaza.

Speaking at an event marking the U.S. Independence Day in Jerusalem, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that Jenin has become an "asylum city for terror," and that Israeli security forces are working "forcefully and diligently ... to arrest or kill terrorists, and destroy command posts and [weapons] labs"

Defense Minister Yoav Gallant commented on the army's activity, saying that "the forces are working with a concentrated effort against the centers of terrorism in Jenin. We will take an offensive approach against terrorism – anyone who harms the citizens of Israel will pay a heavy price."

Several hours later, Gallant issued another statement following a situation assessment with the heads of the security establishment, saying that "[Our] focused effort against terrorist cells in Jenin is advancing as planned and […] we managed to achieve impressive accomplishments."

Israel had informed the United States of its plan to launch the operation in advance, conveying its intent to Washington over the past week through several channels.

The White House issued a statement Monday saying that it is "monitoring the situation closely," and that it supports "Israel’s security and right to defend its people against Hamas, Palestinian Islamic Jihad, and other terrorist groups."

The UK consulate in Jerusalem also issued a statement, saying it is "Deeply concerned about the situation in Jenin," calling on Israel to protect innocent civilians.

The Palestinian Authority announced Monday evening that it is cutting security coordination with Israel due to its actions in Jenin. The PA tends to make similar announcements during Israeli operations in the West Bank, but Palestinian moves to suspend this coordination have been short-lived, in part due to U.S. and Israeli pressure to maintain it.

Nabil Abu Rudeineh, spokesman for Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, called the operation "a new war crime against our defenseless people." Rudeineh also called on the international community to "stop the shameful silence and take action to seriously stop Israeli aggression."

Hussein al-Sheikh, the secretary general of the PLO's Executive Committee who also serves as a Palestinian liaison with Israel, spoke with Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi on Sunday in an attempt to curb Israeli military activity in Jenin.

Spontaneous processions and rallies in solidarity with residents of Jenin took place in various places around the West Bank, including Aska refugee camp in Nablus and the Deheisheh refugee camp near Bethlehem. In Ramallah, a convoy of cars left for the Beit El checkpoint, where clashes between Palestinians and the army had developed, resulting in the death of 21-year-old Muhammad Imad Hasanin, the Palestinian Health Ministry says.

Ismail Haniyeh, head of the Hamas political bureau, called on residents of the West Bank to "stand by Jenin and protect its residents from the enemy." He added that "the blood spilled in Jenin will decide the next phase in all directions and on all axes."

The deputy head of the Hamas political bureau in the West Bank, Salah al-Arouri, called on "all fighters in the West Bank to fight with all means at their disposal to protect Jenin and the Al-Aqsa Mosque."

Israel's Opposition Leader Yair Lapid also issued a statement, saying that the while the operation is "justified and necessary," its goal is "not to further weaken the Palestinian Authority."

Islamic Jihad responded to the operation, saying "The Israeli attack on Jenin will not achieve its goal. Jenin will remain the symbol of the struggle and the firm stand against the occupation. We will deal with the attack and all options are on the table."

Islamic Jihad Secretary General Ziad al-Nakhalah added that "What is happening in Jenin is a massacre against the Palestinian people. The resistance forces, including the Al-Quds Brigades, will do all in their power to stop it."

The Egyptian Foreign Ministry said in a statement that Egypt condemns Israel's military operation in Jenin as it constitutes a violation of international law.

Last Monday, two rockets were launched from the Jenin area towards Israeli territory and exploded inside the West Bank. An investigation by the IDF found that one of the rockets had landed five meters from the launch site, and the other 80 meters. The investigation revealed the rockers were self-produced without advanced capabilities, and did not pose a direct threat to residents in the targeted area.

In recent months, Israeli security forces conducted several operations in Jenin. Last month, severe clashes broke out between the forces and Palestinian militants. Seven IDF soldiers and Border Police officers were reported wounded. Additionally, six Palestinians were killed – including a 15-year-old boy and girl.

Right-wing ministers and lawmakers had been exerting pressure recently on the security establishment to launch a large-scale military operation in the West Bank. This pressure is permeating through the security establishment and the IDF itself, creating tension among senior officials, many of whom believe there is not a broad consensus regarding the need for a military operation.

Amir Tibon, The Associated Press and Reuters contributed to this report.