Even as the ceasefire in Gaza continues, Israeli violence in the West Bank has reached alarming levels, particularly in the city of Jenin and its refugee camp. Military operations carried out by the Israeli army have led to an increasing number of Palestinian deaths and injuries, forced displacement, and a growing humanitarian crisis.
Jenin Attacks: a Timeline of Events
The Israeli army has carried out a series of attacks on the city of Jenin in the occupied West Bank, using armoured vehicles and drones in an offensive that has unleashed devastation in the region. At least 13 Palestinians have been killed and more than 50 wounded, Palestinian medical sources said. The offensive, described as operation “Iron Wall” by the Israelis, has included shelling of civilian areas and a massive ground incursion into Jenin, where hundreds of families were forced to flee.
During the operations, armed clashes were also reported in the village of Burqin, where two Palestinians were killed. The Israeli attack included the destruction of civilian infrastructure and the imposition of a complete cordon on the Jenin refugee camp, using biometric recognition technology to identify inhabitants.
In addition to the dead and wounded, Israeli forces have resorted to extreme methods, such as forcibly displacing residents using loudspeakers and leaflets, and carrying out mass arrests. This has left the population without access to basic medical services, as ambulances have been stopped and medical staff interrogated.
The West Bank Context and the Importance of Jenin
The attacks on Jenin are not an isolated incident. Over the past 15 months, Israeli raids on the city and its refugee camp have increased significantly. The Jenin refugee camp has a history of resistance dating back to its creation after the Nakba in 1948. In recent years, insurgent groups composed mainly of young people have gained strength and sympathy among the local population, becoming a challenge for both Israel and the Palestinian Authority.
The West Bank, considered occupied territory since 1967, is home to more than half a million Israeli settlers in settlements that are illegal under international law. These settlers, backed by the Israeli army, have stepped up their attacks on Palestinian communities, burning property and displacing residents, further aggravating the situation in the region.
The United States and other imperialist countries have provided support to Israel, while the Palestinian Authority has been accused of acting as an appendage of Israeli forces, carrying out its own raids in Jenin and suppressing insurgent movements.
Why is Israel Attacking Jenin Now?
The attacks in Jenin are an attempt to stifle Palestinian resistance in a context of internal political crisis in Israel. After the truce signed with Hamas, which led to the exchange of hostages, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is facing pressure from his far-right allies, who present this exit as a defeat and demand a heavy hand against Hamas and other Palestinian movements. In addition, the Jenin refugee camp represents a symbol of resistance that Israel is trying to dismantle in order to consolidate its control over the West Bank.
Israeli troops and settlers have reportedly killed at least 851 Palestinians in the occupied West Bank and East Jerusalem since the attack on October 7, 2023 and Al Jazeera is reporting that almost 5,000 have been injured and more than 8,000 have been arrested.
In one of his first measures in relation to these attacks, the new president of the United States, Donald Trump, has revoked sanctions imposed by former President Joe Biden against Israeli settlers accused of violence in the territory. This measure confirms and anticipates the role that the Trump administration will play in the region, enthusiastically supporting Israel’s continued aggression and annexation of Palestinian territories.
Originally published on our sister site La Izquierda Diario on January 23.