Hundreds of residents fled their homes in the Jenin refugee camp yesterday as Israeli forces continued a major military operation in the West Bank city, which entered its third day. The military, with armored vehicles, helicopters, and drones, launched the operation targeting militant groups reportedly backed by Iran, especially in the refugee camp alongside Jenin, long a haven for armed Palestinian factions.
Drones equipped with loudspeakers also relayed evacuation orders to witnesses, which sent many of the residents scurrying from their homes. “Yesterday we didn’t want to leave but today they sent a drone warning us to evacuate that the camp was going to be blown up,” 16-year-old Hussam Saadi said.
However, the Israeli military rejected making a direct order for evacuation, adding that they were merely providing safe roads for those who wanted to leave the area. The operation, which came with bulldozers digging up roads and constant drone surveillance, has crippled the city and had very few people walking on its streets.
The military operation comes after a ceasefire in Gaza that included an exchange of Israeli hostages for Palestinian prisoners. This has led to the escalation of tensions in the West Bank as the Israeli forces target the dismantling of groups that they say Iran backs as militants.
Since the operation began, 12 Palestinians have been killed and 40 more injured, according to Palestinian health officials. The raid has drawn international concern, with both France and Jordan warning of potential escalation in the region, which has seen rising violence since the outbreak of the Gaza war.
