In a dramatic escalation of violence, a significant military operation by Israeli forces in the West Bank city of Jenin has resulted in the deaths of eight Palestinians, according to Palestinian officials. The operation, which was reportedly targeting a militant group, has drawn international attention and sparked widespread condemnation.
The incident unfolded early on Tuesday morning when Israeli forces entered the Jenin refugee camp, a densely populated area known for its strong support for Palestinian militant groups. The Israeli military stated that the operation was conducted in response to a series of recent attacks by Palestinian militants, including the killing of two Israeli settlers in the West Bank last week.
Palestinian health officials confirmed that eight people were killed in the operation, including a senior commander of the Al-Aqsa Martyrs’ Brigade, a militant group affiliated with the Fatah party. Several others were reportedly injured, with some in critical condition. The Israeli military has not yet commented on the number of casualties.
The operation has been met with strong condemnation from Palestinian leaders, who have called for an international investigation into the incident. Saeb Erekat, a senior Palestinian negotiator, described the operation as a “massacre” and called for the international community to take action against Israel. “This is a war crime,” he said. “The international community must hold Israel accountable for its actions.”
The Israeli military, however, has defended the operation, stating that it was necessary to prevent further attacks by Palestinian militants. A spokesperson for the Israeli military said that the operation was conducted with precision and that every effort was made to avoid civilian casualties. “Our forces acted with professionalism and restraint,” the spokesperson said.
The incident has also drawn condemnation from international leaders and organizations. The United Nations has called for an immediate and independent investigation into the incident, while the European Union has expressed concern over the escalation of violence. “We are deeply concerned about the escalation of violence in the West Bank,” said a spokesperson for the EU. “We call on all sides to exercise restraint and to work towards a peaceful resolution of the conflict.”
The operation in Jenin comes at a time of heightened tensions between Israel and the Palestinians, with both sides accusing each other of inciting violence. In recent months, there have been a series of deadly attacks by Palestinian militants, as well as Israeli military operations in the West Bank and Gaza Strip.
The international community has long called for a peaceful resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, but efforts to achieve a lasting peace have been hampered by ongoing violence and a lack of trust between the two sides. The incident in Jenin is likely to further complicate efforts to negotiate a peaceful settlement.
