Vithanage Erandi Kawshalya Madhushani Jade Times Staff
V.E.K. Madhushani is a Jadetimes news reporter covering Israel - Gaza War.
Nine Day Operation Leaves Destruction and Loss as Both Sides Count Casualties
Israeli forces have pulled out of Jenin city and its refugee camp in the occupied West Bank following a significant nine day military operation. The area, known as a stronghold for militant groups and home to around 60,000 civilians, was the focus of one of the Israel Defense Forces' (IDF) largest actions in the West Bank in recent years. According to the IDF, the operation targeted terrorist activities in the region.
The Palestinian health ministry reported that at least 36 Palestinians were killed, including 21 from Jenin governorate. While most of the deceased have been identified as members of armed groups, the ministry noted that children were also among the victims. An Israeli soldier was also killed during the clashes in Jenin.
The operation extended beyond Jenin, with raids conducted in the city of Tubas and the al Faraa refugee camp across the northern West Bank. This marked the deadliest operation in the area since the conflict began in Gaza last October, following a deadly attack by Hamas on Israel.
Hundreds of troops from various branches of Israel's security forces participated in the operation. Civilians were confined to their homes, and essential services were disrupted as the Israeli military engaged in combat with militants using ground forces and air strikes. Residents of the Jenin camp are now venturing out for the first time since the assault began on August 27, taking stock of the extensive damage.
Among those affected is Khalid abu Sabeer, who lives in a basement apartment next to a mosque. He recounted how his home was destroyed by an explosion as the Israeli army targeted a cave beneath his building, which had been empty for decades. Despite being warned to leave, his home was severely damaged in the process.
Jenin’s landscape bears the scars of years of violent confrontations between the Israeli army and Palestinian armed groups. Bullet holes, debris from military bulldozers, and graffiti depicting M16 rifles and the word "Hamas" are common sights in the area. Major roads have been left broken and impassable, with construction crews working to remove uprooted trees and clear the rubble.
Dr. Wissam Bakr, head of Jenin’s government hospital, highlighted the challenges faced during the initial days of the operation, including power and water outages. The hospital relied on generators and water tanks to maintain services, particularly for vulnerable patients such as newborns and the elderly on ventilators.
Despite the recent upheaval, the community in Jenin is slowly returning to normalcy. Market stalls have reopened, and cafes are bustling with residents as the city resumes its daily activities. However, the aftermath of the operation remains palpable, with gunfire resuming on Friday morning as funerals for the deceased commenced. Reports indicate that at least eight of those killed were civilians, including a 16 year old girl.
In a statement, the IDF detailed the outcomes of the operation, stating that they had eliminated 14 terrorists, apprehended over 30 suspects, and dismantled approximately 30 explosives planted under roads. Additionally, the IDF reported dismantling numerous "terror infrastructure sites," including an underground weapons storage facility beneath a mosque and a lab used for manufacturing explosives. A large quantity of weapons was also seized.
Violence has spiked in the West Bank since the start of the conflict in Gaza, with the Palestinian health ministry reporting over 600 Palestinian deaths as Israeli forces intensify their raids. Israel maintains that its actions are aimed at curbing deadly attacks by Palestinian militants in the West Bank and within Israel.
This recent escalation underscores the ongoing volatility in the region, with both sides experiencing significant losses and the humanitarian impact on civilians continuing to mount.
