Published: 27 January 2023
Last updated: 5 March 2024
In the first major raid under the new government, the IDF entered the Jenin refugee camp in the West Bank and clashed with Palestinian militants.
Nine Palestinians were shot and killed during a clash with the Israeli army in the West Bank city of Jenin, the local health ministry reported on Thursday. Following the deadly incident, a general strike was announced in the West Bank. Another Palestinian was killed by Israeli military fire in a separate incident near Ramallah.
According to the Palestinian Health Ministry, in addition to the nine dead, there are at least 20 people who were wounded in the incident, among them four in serious condition. Israeli sources estimate the death toll at around nine.
Palestinian Health Minister Mai al-Kaila also claimed that tear gas was fired into a Jenin hospital, causing some smoke-related injuries.
The Palestinian Health Ministry reported that a Palestinian was critically wounded by Israeli fire in a separate incident and evacuated to a hospital in Ramallah where he succumbed to his wounds.
Earlier on Thursday, Palestinians said the Israeli army had entered the Jenin refugee camp in a commercial truck, and violent clashes erupted shortly after. Witnesses say the incident took place at a building that was used as a meeting place for locals. Those same witnesses also reported that the army entered the area with bulldozers, and heavy gunfire ensued.
Armed militants affiliated with the Jenin Brigade, a loose affiliation of militants from several organizations in the West Bank, said that they had opened fire at Israeli soldiers, both with gunfire and improvised explosives.
The Palestinian Health Minister classified the situation in the refugee camp as "dire," adding that there are a number of wounded Palestinians who have yet to receive treatment from emergency services since the Israeli army blocked their access to the scene.
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Nine Palestinians killed by Israeli army in clashes near Jenin (Haaretz)