Israel launches 'Iron Wall' operation amidst rising tensions in Jenin
The Israeli army announced on Tuesday the start of a large-scale anti-terrorist operation in the city of Jenin in the West Bank. The Palestinian Authority's Ministry of Health reported that at least six people were killed and about 35 were injured as a result of the Israeli attacks.
The operation, called "Iron Wall", aims to eliminate the threat from terrorists and destroy their infrastructure. The Israeli armed forces stated that the actions may last several days.
As "Times of Israel" reports, the operation began with drone airstrikes, and a large number of soldiers, border guards, and Shin Bet security service officers were sent to the city.
Jenin, located in the northern occupied West Bank, is one of the most volatile points in the region. In August 2024, Israel carried out its last major military operation there, in which dozens of people, mainly terrorists, were killed.
Intensification of activities
Following the outbreak of war in the Gaza Strip in the autumn of 2023, Palestinian terrorist groups such as Hamas and the Palestinian Islamic Jihad intensified their activities in the West Bank. The number of Israeli raids on Palestinian militias and attacks by extremist Jewish settlers on Palestinians also increased.
Since October 2023, over 850 Palestinians and more than 50 Israelis have been killed in the West Bank. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced that the operation is another step in the fight against the "Iranian axis," wherever it appears.
Ceasefire in the Gaza Strip
A ceasefire in the Gaza Strip has been in effect since Sunday. Israel announced that during the 15 months of fighting, it seriously weakened Hamas. Iran's ally was also the Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, who was overthrown in December by Islamist Sunni armed groups.
The "Jerusalem Post" reports that since mid-December, a security operation by the Palestinian Authority against local terrorist groups has been ongoing in Jenin. Despite some successes, on Tuesday, Palestinian officers withdrew from the vicinity of the city, allowing Israeli soldiers to enter.
The Palestinian Authority, controlled by the Fatah party, administers part of the West Bank. Jenin is in an area where the Authority is supposed to provide administration and security, but "in practice, its officers have not been present in the refugee camp in this city for years," states the "Jerusalem Post".
