At least three Palestinians are dead and dozens more are wounded after Israel raided the West Bank city of Jenin Monday.
The firefight erupted in the early morning hours as the Israeli Defense Forces stormed the city and fought against Palestinian militants. Eight IDF and border police soldiers were injured in the battle, Haaretz reported.
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Among the three Palestinians killed was a teenager, the Palestinian Health Ministry said, per CNN. The other two Palestinians who lost their lives were men in their 20s. About 31 others were wounded in the fight, including a girl with a critical head injury.
The IDF and Israel Border Police went into the occupied city to arrest two wanted suspects when “a massive exchange of fire took place,” they said.
Israel’s raid included attack helicopters, stun grenades, and toxic gas, Wafa News Agency reported. Video showed an Israeli helicopter shooting missiles at a refugee camp on the ground in Jenin. The IDF said the helicopters shot toward gunmen after one of its vehicles was damaged by an explosive device while it was leaving the refugee camp.
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Bezalel Smotrich, Israel’s finance minister, has publicly lobbied for “a large-scale operation across the [occupied] West Bank,” declaring, “the time had come,” according to Al Jazeera. Smotrich’s sentiment has been echoed across Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government as it has shifted further and further right since his accession in December.
