An In-Depth Report on the Recent Israeli Assault on Jenin
The Prelude to the Offensive: Tracing Jenin’s Resistance History
Jenin, a city located in the northern part of the Israeli-occupied West Bank, has long been a hub of Palestinian resistance. The Jenin refugee camp, especially, has served as a bastion for various militant factions, accumulating an arsenal of light weapons and explosives. Israeli forces have persistently alleged these factions of harboring fighters within densely populated areas like the refugee camp, a place with a history that goes back to 1948. A significant proportion of the militants live in the camp, often alongside their families.
![Following the withdrawal of the Israeli army from the Jenin refugee camp, a Palestinian woman is seen seated before a building that has suffered severe damage. This event took place in Jenin, located in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, on July 5, 2023 [Mohamad Torokman/Reuters]."](https://www.currentaffairs.com.pk/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Janin.png)
Jenin’s resistance history can be traced back to the British Mandate period. In 1938, the British Royal Air Force bombed Jenin as part of a campaign to quell the Arab revolt against increased Jewish immigration to Palestine. During the Arab-Israeli War in 1948, Jenin became a battleground, initially seized by Israeli forces, then recaptured by the Arab Liberation Army. In the Six-Day War of 1967, Jenin fell under Israeli occupation and was later placed under the administration of the Palestinian National Authority in 1993. Since then, Jenin has been a site of continuous conflict and tension, witnessing several incidents related to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Despite these challenges, Jenin continues to function as a major center for the surrounding towns and as the administrative center of the Jenin Governorate of the State of Palestine.
The 2023 Offensive: Latest Bombing and Raids in Jenin
From March 2022, Jenin and its surrounding regions have experienced intensified Israeli raids following a series of Palestinian street attacks. In a January raid in Jenin, Israeli forces killed seven gunmen and two civilians. A month later, a prolonged firefight between militants and Israeli troops resulted in six Palestinians killed and over 90 wounded. In retaliation, Palestinian gunmen killed four Israelis near a Jewish settlement, leading to settlers rampaging through Palestinian towns, setting buildings and cars on fire.
The Attack: Israel’s Major Raid on Jenin
On July 3, Israel initiated a significant raid on the Jenin refugee camp, resulting in the death of 12 Palestinians in clashes with gunmen. The operation, involving over 1,000 soldiers and supported by rare drone strikes, was a mission to dismantle militant infrastructure and weaponry. The Israeli military claims to have discovered a command room with a bank of CCTV cameras monitoring the camp and a tunnel and armory hidden beneath a mosque. Israel also claims to have apprehended 120 suspected militants and killed at least nine gunmen in Jenin.
The Aftermath: Rebuilding and Recovery in Jenin
Post-offensive, residents of the Jenin camp embarked on the process of rebuilding. The primary water pipeline, electricity grid, and nearly 80 percent of homes in the camp were damaged. Two United Nations Relief and Work Agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA) facilities inside the camp suffered heavy damages from the Israeli military offensive. A UN school and a health facility were among the affected structures.
Global Response: International Reactions to the Jenin Offensive
The Israeli military operation on Jenin has drawn international criticism. A group of UN experts stated that Israel’s military raids targeting the Jenin refugee camp “may prima facie constitute a war crime”. The spokesperson for the United Nations secretary-general said that the Israeli military operation on Jenin refugee camp did not “show full respect” for international humanitarian law.
The Abraham Accords: A Stunning Failure
The recent offensive on Jenin underscores the stunning failure of the Abraham Accords. The assault, coupled with the ongoing Israeli aggression, demonstrates that the normalization deals have not brought peace to the Middle East. Instead, they have proven to be mere business transactions for those who engaged in them, potentially costing them their credibility in the region and beyond.
The Future: What Lies Ahead
Despite the heavy toll of the operation, Israeli officials have indicated that they will continue to take action against Jenin. Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant said he gives the army “freedom of action” to deal with the city. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that Palestinian fighters will not have a “safe haven” in Jenin and this week’s military operation is “by no means the last action we take”.
The recent offensive on Jenin marks a significant escalation in the ongoing conflict between Israel and Palestinian militants. The impact of this operation and the potential for further violence in the region continues to be a matter of international concern.
Keep following us for Current Affairs !