Rising Casualties in Jenin Amid Israeli Military Operations
The ongoing military operations in Jenin, a city in the northern West Bank, have resulted in increasing casualties among Palestinians. On November 20, 2024, two young men were reported injured by Israeli army gunfire during the second day of a military offensive in the area. The Palestinian Red Crescent Society confirmed that one of the injured, an 18-year-old, was shot in the chest, while a 21-year-old sustained a hand injury. Both were transported to a local hospital for treatment.
This escalation follows a deadly incident the previous day, where Israeli forces killed five Palestinians and injured ten others during their incursion into Jenin camp. Local sources indicate that Israeli drones have also targeted areas near the Khalid bin al-Walid Mosque, although no injuries were reported from these strikes. The military operations have led to significant infrastructure damage, with Israeli bulldozers destroying streets and causing power and water outages across large parts of the city.
International Response and Humanitarian Concerns
Jenin Governor Kamal Abu al-Rub has called on the international community to intervene, urging for an end to the destruction and for efforts to rebuild the damaged infrastructure. Human rights organizations have echoed these sentiments, emphasizing the need for international pressure to halt the escalating violence and address what they describe as Israeli crimes against the Palestinian people.
As the situation intensifies, armed confrontations continue between Palestinian resistance groups and Israeli forces. The Al-Quds Brigades, affiliated with the Islamic Jihad Movement, reported targeting Israeli military vehicles with gunfire and explosives, while the Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades also engaged in armed clashes in the eastern neighborhoods of Jenin.
Escalating Arrests and Broader Context
The Israeli military operations have led to a significant increase in arrests, with reports indicating that at least 15 Palestinians were detained during recent raids across the West Bank, including women and children. Since October 2023, the total number of detainees has surpassed 11,700, reflecting a systematic campaign of arrests amid the ongoing conflict.
The broader context of violence includes the ongoing war in the Gaza Strip, which began on October 7, 2023, resulting in approximately 148,000 casualties, predominantly among women and children. This situation has led to widespread destruction and a humanitarian crisis, with many facing famine and dire living conditions. The cumulative toll of violence in both the West Bank and Gaza has raised urgent calls for international intervention and humanitarian assistance.
