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Edited by: TJVNews.com
Violence erupted in the city of Jenin on Monday morning as heavy clashes broke out between Palestinian gunmen and Israeli troops. The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) and Border Police entered Jenin to detain two wanted Palestinians, leading to a massive exchange of fire and the deployment of an Israeli helicopter gunship. As a result of the clashes, five Palestinians were killed and at least 91 people were wounded. This incident marks the first airstrike in Judea and Samaria in approximately two decades and underscores the escalating tensions between Israel and the Palestinians.
According to a joint statement issued by the IDF and Border Police, forces encountered armed gunmen upon entering Jenin and engaged in a fierce firefight. The exchange of fire was accompanied by the hurling of numerous explosive devices at the Israeli forces. In response, the Israeli forces used live fire, resulting in the injury of several suspects.
The Palestinian Authority health ministry reported that five individuals lost their lives in the clashes. They were identified as Khaled Asasa, Qassam Abu Sariya, Qais Jabareen, Ahmed Daraghmeh, and 15-year-old Ahmed Saqr. Additionally, at least 23 people were seriously wounded, including a young girl. The Palestinian Islamic Jihad later claimed that Abu Sariya and Jabareen were members of their local wing in Jenin.
During the clashes, a vehicle carrying Israeli soldiers was hit by an explosive device, injuring seven soldiers and Border Police officers. Two IDF soldiers sustained moderate injuries, while five Border Police officers were injured, two moderately and three lightly. The wounded personnel were immediately airlifted to hospitals in Israel for treatment.
In order to facilitate the evacuation of the wounded troops, an Israeli Apache helicopter carried out airstrikes on a location where gunmen were identified. This marked the first airstrike in Judea and Samaria in about two decades. The use of attack helicopters in the region had previously been limited to special circumstances during the Second Intifada in the early 2000s.
Following the clashes, the IDF continued to operate in Jenin to remove several heavily damaged vehicles. Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari, the IDF spokesman, stated that forces came under fire during the removal process. He assured that the situation was under control and emphasized that the incidents in Jenin would be thoroughly investigated to draw lessons.
Lt. Col (Res) Doron Avital gives his assessment of the continued clashes between the Israeli army and Palestinian terrorist groups. He said, “We are in some sort of a mini-war in northern Samaria for quite a while.”
The recent clashes in Jenin are indicative of the heightened tensions between Israel and the Palestinians over the past year. The IDF has conducted frequent raids in Judea and Samaria, responding to a series of deadly Palestinian terror attacks. Throughout this period, 20 people have been killed in Palestinian attacks in Israel and Judea and Samaria with many more sustaining serious injuries. Additionally, 122 Palestinians have lost their lives, mostly during clashes with security forces.
The violent clashes in Jenin, resulting in the loss of lives and numerous injuries, highlight the precarious situation in the region. The engagement between Palestinian gunmen and Israeli forces, accompanied by the rare airstrike by an Israeli helicopter gunship, underscores the escalating tensions between the two sides.
