The West Bank could suffer the fate of the Gaza Strip. This is what Palestinian officials have announced, taking the trigger from the “Iron Wall” operation, which has caused nearly 50 casualties. International media reports that hundreds of residents of Jenin left their homes prompted by messages from drones equipped with loudspeakers, while the Israeli army destroyed a number of houses on the third day of a major operation in the West Bank city.
The operation, involving large convoys of vehicles supported by helicopters and drones, was launched in the first week of a ceasefire in Gaza that saw the first exchange of Israeli hostages for Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli jails since a brief truce in November 2023.
Israeli officials said the Jenin operation was aimed at what the military said were Iranian-backed militant groups in the refugee camp adjacent to the city, a major hub for Palestinian armed groups for years.
Armored bulldozers have destroyed roads, making movement in the city difficult, but hundreds of people left their homes in the camp, dragging suitcases or carrying plastic bags with their belongings after they said they heard messages to evacuate.
The Israeli military denied that it had told residents to leave their homes. It said it was "enabling any resident who chooses to leave the area to do so via safe and organized routes with the protection of Israeli security forces." As the operation continued, the sound of gunfire and the constant hum of drones flying overhead could be heard over the refugee camp. There was little movement on the streets in the city.
Footage released by the Israeli army showed troops detonating explosives on the side of the road.
Israeli troops killed two gunmen barricaded inside a building in Burqin, outside Jenin, on Wednesday night after a gunfight. The two were suspected of carrying out an attack near the Palestinian village of al-Funduq earlier this month in which three Israelis were killed. (A2 Televizion)
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