On 3 July 2023, the Israeli military conducted a major assault on the Jenin refugee camp in the Palestinian city of Jenin, located within the Israeli-occupiedWest Bank. The Israeli government stated that the goal of the operation, named "Operation Home and Garden", was to target militants within the camp.[7]
The Jenin refugee camp was established in 1953, housing Palestinians who fled or were expelled by Israeli forces in the 1948 Palestine War. It has an estimated population of 18,000, with a high population density, estimated at 33,000/km2 by the UNRWA. The camp suffers from high rates of poverty and unemployment, and faces difficult living conditions, largely due to Israeli sanctions affecting up to 80% of Jenin's economy.[8][6] It has been a frequent location for many incidents in the Israeli–Palestinian conflict.[6]
The attack began in the early hours of 3 July and resulted in the deaths of at least 12 Palestinians and injuries to 100 others.[3][9] The military emphasized that the operation is "one in a series", limited to the refugee camp area in Jenin.[10] Up to 500 Palestinian families were forced or had to leave their homes due to the Israeli assault.[11]
The assault was the largest incursion and deployment of aerial force against militants in the West Bank in 20 years, since fighting during the Second Intifada.[9][12][13] Israeli military and political echelons appear to hold differing views about the scale and intent of the operation.[14][10]
Background
The Jenin refugee camp was established in 1953, housing Palestinians who fled or were expelled by Israeli forces in the 1948 Palestine War. It has an estimated population of 18,000, and suffers from high rates of poverty and unemployment.[6] It has been a frequent location for many incidents in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Since the escalation of Israeli-Palestinian violence in the spring of 2022, the Jenin camp and its neighboring town have remained a focal point of tension. Jenin has historically been a stronghold for armed resistance against Israel and was a significant source of friction during the Second Intifada. Israeli foreign minister Eli Cohen has described the camp as a "hub for terrorist activities" and accuses Iran of funding its militants.
Graffiti in the Jenin camp in 2011, which read "Not to forget"
In 2023, the refugee camp has been repeatedly targeted by Israeli forces due to the Israeli government's belief that it shelters militants responsible for attacks inside Israel. The Israeli government has prioritized cracking down on the camp.[15] The incursion took place amidst increasing violence in the West Bank, which included another violent clash in Jenin two weeks prior, a rocket incident originating from the area, the first Israeli drone attack in the West Bank since 2006, and attacks by settlers on Palestinian villages.[16] Furthermore, there was growing domestic pressure to respond to a series of attacks on Israeli settlers, including a shooting incident in June that resulted in the deaths of four Israelis. Influential members within Prime MinisterBenjamin Netanyahu's right-wing government have also advocated for a more extensive military retaliation to address the ongoing violence in the region.[12]
Attack
Israeli soldier during the operation
The attack began with drone strikes on what the IDF called "terrorist infrastructure" shortly after 1 A.M. The airstrikes were followed by the deployment of troops who remained inside the camp until midday. The fighting persisted for approximately 14 hours after the Israeli forces entered the camp. IDF spokesman Lt. Col. Richard Hecht disclosed that around 2,000 soldiers, constituting a brigade-size force, participated in the operation.[12]
The military blocked roads, seized control of houses and buildings, and positioned snipers on rooftops. Military bulldozers were utilized to clear paths through narrow streets to facilitate the movement of Israeli forces, resulting in damage to buildings.[9][12]
A weapons cache found in Jenin, according to the IDF
According to the Palestinian Health Ministry, at least 10 Palestinians, including three minors, were killed in the incident, with 100 individuals sustaining injuries, leaving 20 in critical condition.[6] The eldest of the victims on Monday was 23 years old.[17] Journalists also reported being targeted by Israeli fire while reporting on events.[17]
Palestinian sources stated that 3,000 people fled or were evacuated from the camp to escape the fighting.[6][17] The Palestinian Red Crescent stated that it expected the numbers to rise amid ongoing Israeli military activity in the area.[6]UNRWA confirmed that camp residents were leaving.[6]
The Israeli army stated that it discovered three facilities involved in the production of weapons and confiscated caches of weapons and hundreds of explosives.[12] It also reported that the missiles fired during the operation hit a joint operations center used by militants from the Jenin Brigade, as well as a facility responsible for weapons manufacturing and the storage of explosive devices.[13]
Casualties
Among the 12 Palestinian fatalities, four have been claimed as Islamic Jihad militants, and one as a Hamas militant.
An Israeli soldier, Sergeant-Major David Yehuda Yitzhak (23), Egoz unit.[4]
Reactions
Palestine
Nabil Abu Rudeineh, the spokesperson for the Palestinian presidency, asserted that the Palestinian people would not yield, surrender, or back down "in the face of this brutal aggression."[12]
The first funeral for the dead took place on 5 July.[20] When senior Palestinian Authority members, including Mahmoud Aloul, an ally of Mahmoud Abbas, arrived to offer their respects, they were heckled and chased off by the mourners.[20]
Hezbollah also condemned the attacks, stating that the Palestinians possess "many alternatives and means that will make the enemy regret its acts".[12]
United Nations and EU
Lynn Hastings, the U.N. humanitarian coordinator in the Palestinian areas, expressed her concern on Twitter about the extensive Israeli military operation, noting that the airstrikes occurred in a densely populated refugee camp.[12]
On July 6, a "clearly angered" U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, in a rare condemnation of Israel, condemned the assault for excessive use of force and said Israel "as the occupying power, it has a responsibility to ensure that the civilian population is protected against all acts of violence." The statement followed a statement the previous day by three UN independent human rights experts on Wednesday who said that the actions "amount to egregious violations of international law and standards on the use of force and may constitute a war crime“.[22][23]
European Union representative to the Palestinian territories Sven Kuehn von Burgsdorff led a delegation of UN officials and diplomats from 25 countries to the camp, echoed Guterres remarks, called the assault a violation of international law and called for a political resolution to the conflict.[24][25][26]
Aftermath
On 4 July, nine people were injured in the city of Tel Aviv following a vehicle-ramming and stabbing attack by a Palestinian man. Hamas claimed the attack was “heroic and revenge for the military operation in Jenin”.[27]
On 5 July near Mount Gerizim armed militants opened fire at an Israeli police vehicle, damaging the vehicle and also a local store. The attack reportedly left no Israelis or militants injured.[28] The PFLP's armed wing, the Abu Ali Mustapha Brigades claimed responsibility for the attack.[29] A day later, the two Palestinian gunmen responsible for the shooting attack were killed by Israeli troops in Nablus during an attempt to arrest them.[30]
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Israel
Hamas
IDF
