Israeli Defense Forces have launched a major operation in the West Bank in order to push back Terrorists operating from the region. Israel is constantly having to protect itself from the radical Islamic elements that refuse to recognize Israel’s right to exist. This is said to be the most significant operation in the West Bank in the last 20 years.
Defense Minister Yoav Gallant on Monday afternoon said the Israeli army’s major operation in the West Bank city of Jenin was “progressing as planned,” according to remarks issued by his office.
“In the past few hours, we dealt a heavy blow to the terror organizations in Jenin and managed to record impressive operational achievements,” Gallant said following an assessment he held with military chief Lt. Gen Herzi Halevi and other senior officers.
He said the troops would “receive full support to do whatever is necessary and to operate on the ground and in the air, in order to protect the citizens of Israel and preserve full freedom of action throughout [the West Bank].”
Over 1,000 Israel Defense Forces troops were involved in the campaign, which appeared to be the largest in the West Bank in some 20 years, with tensions already sky-high following a series of deadly terror attacks carried out by Palestinians from the Jenin area.
The IDF said the operation began shortly after 1 a.m. with a series of airstrikes against multiple “terror infrastructure” targets in the city, including a joint war room shared by various armed groups in the city.
Palestinian health officials said eight people were killed and at least 27 others were wounded, including seven listed in serious condition, during the strikes and in clashes with Israeli forces.
One Israeli soldier was lightly hurt during the operation. The IDF said the serviceman was hit by shrapnel from a grenade hurled by other Israeli forces. He was taken to a hospital for further treatment, the IDF added. Several of the slain Palestinians were identified by media reports as members of armed groups in the city, although there was no immediate official statement issued by Islamic Jihad or other local terror organizations.
After the initial attack, at least ten more drone strikes were carried out on terror operatives and sites used to store and manufacture weapons, the IDF said.
In one such strike on Monday afternoon, the IDF said a drone targeted Palestinian gunmen who were shooting at troops near a mosque in the Jenin refugee camp.
The IDF said it would provide further details on the strike later.
During the morning, IDF said forces located a makeshift rocket and a number of explosive devices among other weapons and military equipment. At least 20 suspects were detained, a military spokesperson said. . . . .
THE TIMES OF ISRAEL