Israel Reports Killing of Two Palestinian Attackers in Jenin Raid

On Wednesday night, Israeli forces announced that they had killed two armed men, Qutaiba Shalabi and Mohammed Nazzal, who were suspected of carrying out a deadly shooting attack earlier this month in the occupied West Bank. The attack had claimed the lives of three Israelis.

The two men were reportedly killed after a fierce gun battle with Israeli troops in the Burqin area, located near the northern West Bank city of Jenin. The Palestinian health ministry confirmed their deaths, noting that Israeli forces took their bodies and demolished the house where the two militants had been hiding.

Hamas, the militant group, later issued a statement claiming that Shalabi and Nazzal were its fighters, celebrating their deaths as martyrdom in the ongoing conflict with Israel.

The raid is part of Israel’s intensified operations in the West Bank, which have seen rising tensions between Israeli forces and Palestinian militants. The situation continues to be volatile, with violence escalating in the region.

Israel has been conducting a large-scale military operation in and around Jenin since Tuesday, targeting armed Palestinian groups in the region. Army vehicles have restricted access to medical staff and ambulances, with the Jenin refugee camp, which houses both civilians and armed militants, being sealed off.

As of the latest reports, twelve Palestinians, including the suspected attackers Qutaiba Shalabi and Mohammed Nazzal, have been killed, and dozens more have been injured. Israel’s stated objective is to dismantle armed factions in the area, which are reportedly backed by Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad, with the aim of preventing further attacks on Israeli targets.

In addition to security concerns, Israel is wary of increasing Iranian influence and arms smuggling into the West Bank. The ongoing operation also seems to serve domestic political interests within Israel, particularly those advocating for the continuation of military actions following the ceasefire in Gaza and the potential annexation of the West Bank.

Civilians Among Those Killed in Jenin Raid, Including Businessman and His Son

Amid the ongoing military operation in Jenin, several of those killed have been identified as civilians, with the case of Ahmed al-Shayeb drawing particular attention. Al-Shayeb, a well-known businessman who owned a mobile phone shop, was shot dead by Israeli forces while driving near Jenin’s refugee camp on Wednesday. His 10-year-old son, Taym, was in the car at the time and witnessed the tragic event.

In an emotional statement at his father’s funeral, Taym recounted the harrowing moments: “They started shooting, and a bullet hit him,” he said. “He said ‘God, God,’ then the car hit the pavement. I saw two army vehicles coming toward us. They started to shoot towards the car, but I jumped out and ran away.”

The incident has raised further concerns about the impact of the military operation on civilians, with many locals asserting that al-Shayeb was not involved in any militant activity. Israel’s military has acknowledged the incident and stated that it is under review.

As Israel continues its crackdown on armed groups in the West Bank, the situation in Jenin remains tense, with mounting casualties among both militants and civilians caught in the crossfire. The complexities of these operations raise difficult questions about the balance between security objectives and the protection of innocent lives.

Jenin Camp Under Siege: Civilians Face Harsh Conditions Amid Ongoing Israeli Operation

As the Israeli military operation continues in Jenin, the situation on the ground remains tense, with widespread destruction and intense military presence. Roads leading into the Jenin refugee camp are heavily guarded, with military bulldozers tearing up the streets, making it nearly impossible for civilians to travel freely. Small groups of soldiers have been seen raising their weapons whenever civilians or reporters approach.

Fierce clashes inside the camp were reported on Tuesday night, and by Wednesday, many residents were desperately trying to leave the area. One local man described how the Israeli army had been separating residents into groups of five, with each group being checked by drones. The process left many residents either detained or permitted to leave, depending on the outcome of the checks.

A glimpse of the desperate situation emerged as a small group of adults and children attempted to navigate their way past soldiers, walking carefully over the rubble of broken earth and concrete. One man was seen holding his infant son high above his head to avoid stepping on debris as they made their way through the wreckage.

The ongoing operation has left many civilians caught in the crossfire, facing uncertain futures as their homes and livelihoods are torn apart. While Israel’s military seeks to dismantle armed factions in the region, the toll on the local population continues to rise, highlighting the human cost of the conflict.

The ongoing military operation in Jenin has sparked widespread concern among the local population, with residents fearing the escalation of violence. Military bulldozers have reportedly reached the heart of the camp, signaling that the operation is intensifying. Locals have expressed their fears for vulnerable groups such as the elderly, sick, and children who are unable to leave the area.

Some residents have drawn comparisons between this operation and Israel’s actions in Gaza following Hamas’s attack on Israel on October 7, 2023. They believe that the scale and nature of the raid feels similar to the actions taken in Gaza, with widespread strikes occurring throughout the camp. The raid is seen as a response to the continuing threat posed by armed factions, but it has also led to significant civilian suffering.

Kefah Sehwal, a local woman, described the deep personal loss she has endured, having lost 15 family members since the conflict began. Her sentiments reflect the broader frustration among residents who feel they are bearing the brunt of the Israeli military’s strategy.

Israel’s Defence Minister, Israel Katz, has mentioned a shift in strategy, emphasizing not only the elimination of terrorists but also preventing their return. However, it remains unclear whether this approach will be effective in Jenin, as similar strategies have not yielded clear results in Gaza.

Courtesy: Al Jazeera English

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• ^ The personal name “Israel” appears much earlier, in material from Ebla.^[48]
• ^ /ˈɪzri.əl, -reɪ-/; Hebrew: יִשְׂרָאֵל, romanized: Yīsrāʾēl [jisʁaˈʔel]; Arabic: إِسْرَائِيل, romanized: ʾIsrāʾīl
• ^ Hebrew: מְדִינַת יִשְׂרָאֵל, romanised: Medīnat Yīsrāʾēl [mediˈnat jisʁaˈʔel]; Arabic: دَوْلَة إِسْرَائِيل, romanised: Dawlat Isrāʾīl
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