Israeli forces withdrew from Jenin in the occupied West Bank early Friday morning, and residents are now attempting to resume their daily lives amidst the rubble, according to AFP correspondents.
According to residents, Israeli soldiers withdrew from the city and the refugee camp overnight, a stronghold of armed Palestinian organisations, after ten days of operations in this area, which is theoretically under the control of the Palestinian Authority.
Israel launched an “anti-terrorist” military operation in various Palestinian cities and communities in the northern West Bank, including Jenin, on August 28.
“For a week and a half, (the Israeli army, Shin Bet – the internal security service – and border guards) have been conducting anti-terrorist operations in the Jenin area,” the Israeli military stated in a press release, without mentioning the conclusion of its operation, codenamed “Summer Camps.”
“So far, 14 terrorists have been neutralised, and more than 30 suspects have been arrested” in Jenin, the military added, specifying that “four air strikes were carried out in the area.”
“Israeli security forces continue to act to achieve the objectives of this anti-terrorist operation,” it concluded, without providing further details.
According to the Palestinian Authority’s Ministry of Health, a total of 36 Palestinians, aged 13 to 82, have been killed by the Israeli military in the northern West Bank since August 28. The Israeli military, for its part, announced the death of one of its members, who was killed in combat in Jenin on August 31.
Early this morning, a silence prevailed in the Jenin refugee camp as those who had fled to escape the clashes of the past ten days began to return.
AFP correspondents were able to access the camp without being stopped by the Israeli military.
Israeli military excavators have destroyed the asphalt on the roads and the facades of buildings.
Some residents sat silently on plastic chairs in front of their ruined homes, while small excavators worked to clear the debris, and children came out to play in the street.
Aziz Taleb, a 48-year-old father of seven, inspects the damage inside his home. “Thank God (the children) had left the day before (the start of the Israeli military operations) to stay with neighbours,” he said.
(information from amna.gr)
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