The action, which began Sunday night (02), hit at least 15 targets of terrorist organizations and their allies
(Photo) IDF found packages with ammunition and wells with explosives at Al-Nasr mosque. “Holy sites, such as the Al-Nasr mosque, should not be used as a front for terrorism” stated the IDF via social media. (Reproduction/Twitter)
The largest Israeli operation in the West Bank in 20 years started this Sunday, (02), at 7 pm, in the city of Jenin. With the use of air forces and more than a thousand troops, the action targets multiple centers of terrorism in the region, including a property used by several armed groups.
According to the Israel Armed Forces, the action is a response to the growing tension between Israel and Palestinian terrorists, who have been intensifying their attacks in recent weeks. At the moment, several armed militants are hiding inside a mosque in the refugee camp in Jenin. Israeli soldiers are surrounding the site, and air strikes against the terrorists have already been carried out near the mosque.
As the operation began, the Shin Bet, the internal secret service, sent thousands of SMS messages to Palestinians in the city, asking them to stay indoors and protect their families. The message in Arabic reads, “Our forces are operating right now in Jenin against militants. Stay home and take care of your family.”
Palestinian health officials said that eight people were killed and at least 27 were wounded, including seven in serious condition. Although there has not yet been any pronouncement from terrorist organizations about the deaths, several have been identified as members of armed groups.
Defense Minister Yoav Gallant said that the Israeli operation in Jenin in the West Bank is “progressing as planned,” according to comments issued by his office. “In the last few hours, we have struck a heavy blow against terrorist organizations in Jenin and recorded impressive operational achievements,” Gallant said.
André Lajst, political scientist specializing in the Middle East and executive president of StandWithUs Brazil, explains what led to the operation in the West Bank: “In recent weeks, we have seen massive attacks coming from Jenin against Israeli citizens, which was not common until a few years ago. And it is important to understand that the Palestinian National Authority (PNA) is also unable to enter, through its security forces, the city. Terrorist operations are no longer centered in the Gaza region, but have spread to the West Bank. The escalating conflict in this region represents a huge danger for the Israeli and Palestinian population, due to the proximity of the West Bank to Israel’s largest cities: Jerusalem and Tel Aviv. Israel will not let this happen,” says Lajst.
However, according to the expert, Israeli actions tend to incite responses from terrorist groups. “Hamas is already making pronouncements for the Palestinian population to join the armed struggle. This is a common response to terrorist killings in the region. What we see is a spiral of violence that is not expected to end,” explains Lajst.
Understanding the conflict in the West Bank
Since the beginning of last year, Israel has faced a wave of attacks by armed groups not linked to terrorist groups, known as Islamic Jihad and Hamas, who are carrying out attacks of opportunity against Israeli civilians and soldiers inside Israel and in the West Bank. That territory is partly controlled by the Palestinian Authority and partly controlled by Israel. “There are thousands of armed men in the West Bank, funded by Iran, with money from Islamic Jihad, but with no affiliation to the group. Sometimes the money also comes from Lebanon through Hezbollah,” explains expert André Lajst.
“They are actively working to make the whole region catch fire and for Israel to have to take action and this leads to a third intifada, a Palestinian uprising, a breakdown of Israel’s diplomatic relations with Arab countries, and for Israel to be isolated in the world with its diplomatic relations strained,” Lajst says of the terrorist acts.
The specialist also explains that the conflict has no end in sight: “It will only end when the Islamic Republic of Iran, the largest funder of terrorism in the world, stops funding terrorism not only there, but throughout the Middle East region,” he explains.
*** Translated by the DEFCONPress FYI Team ***