July 5 (UPI) — In the midst of the Israel Defense Forces’ withdrawal from the occupied West Bank city of Jenin after a two-day counter-terrorism operation, Israeli warplanes launched attacks on two Hamas military targets in Gaza overnight on Tuesday.
The airstrikes targeted an underground weapons manufacturing facility and a rocket-manufacturing facility in response to rockets fired towards Israel from Gaza, according to the Israel Defense Forces.
“These attacks weaken Hamas’ ability to arm and strengthen itself,” stated the IDF in a statement. “Hamas is responsible for the situation in the Gaza Strip and will bear the consequences of its security breaches against Israel.”
The IDF announced earlier that five rocket launches from Gaza towards Israel had been detected and successfully intercepted by the Iron Dome Aerial Defense System.
As a result of the rocket launches, sirens were activated in the city of Sderot and the surrounding areas of southern Israel.
The airstrikes in Gaza occurred simultaneously with the withdrawal of military forces from a refugee camp in Jenin, which had been the target of an extensive 48-hour counterterrorism operation starting early Monday.
Lt. Col. Avichay Adraee, the head of the Arab media division of the IDF spokesperson’s unit, confirmed the withdrawal on Twitter at the same time as the IDF’s announcement of the attack on Gaza.
“During the operation, hundreds of suspects were interrogated, and dozens were arrested,” Adraee said in a statement. “The forces also discovered and confiscated thousands of weapons, including explosive devices, weapon parts, explosives laboratories, and ammunition, which were subsequently detonated.”
The IDF published a list stating that, as of 7 p.m. Tuesday, they had found and destroyed 14 hideouts and operational situation rooms, six explosives manufacturing facilities containing over 300 explosives, 24 rifles including M16 rifles, hundreds of bullets, “terror funds” amounting to hundreds of thousands, dozens of kilograms of chemical materials used for making bombs, and six underground shafts.
Throughout the operation, 300 individuals were questioned, leading to the apprehension of 30 suspects.
Jenin, a Palestinian city in the northern West Bank, has been the target of a series of Israeli raids prior to the surprise operation and is home to a refugee camp with over 10,000 inhabitants, which is considered a center of Palestinian resistance.
The operation commenced as part of Israel’s efforts to combat terrorism originating from the occupied West Bank, according to a timeline of the operation provided by the IDF.
According to Doctors Without Borders, at least eight Palestinians have been killed and 91 others injured during the operation. The organization, along with others, has condemned the attack on the refugee camp, stating it is the largest raid in the occupied West Bank since 2002.
Doctors Without Borders also accused Israeli forces of firing tear gas canisters at Khalil Suleiman Hospital, where injured individuals were receiving treatment. They further claimed that the IDF has blocked access to the refugee camp, preventing patients in need of care from receiving medical assistance.
Physicians for Human Rights Israel, a non-profit organization based in Jaffa, reported that three hospitals were attacked during the operation, resulting in severe damage. They also stated that weapons were fired from within one of the facilities, a violation of international humanitarian law.
“In a further escalation, Israeli forces stormed Jenin’s governmental hospital, firing tear gas and live bullets, despite the hospital being overwhelmed with patients and staff,” the organization said in a statement. “Five civilians were injured, with three in serious condition.”
Although the IDF spokesman Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari acknowledged the reports, he could not confirm them and instead accused terrorists of using civilian facilities as hiding places since the start of the military operation.
Hagari also denied allegations that emergency crews were being blocked, stating that the IDF allows the movement of Palestinian medical forces in the city and works to minimize harm to uninvolved individuals.
Hagari also announced the death of Sgt. David Yehuda Yitzchak, 23, who was killed by live fire during the military operation.
Malaysia and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation have both condemned the Israeli attack.
The State of Palestine, which has accused Israel of committing war crimes, has identified some of those killed in the attack as students.
“The Palestinian people have the right to defend themselves from Israel’s occupation and unrelenting aggression and protect their homes, lands, and people,” the State of Palestine said in a statement.
Although Israel has claimed ownership of the West Bank since 1967, the international community, including the United Nations, widely regards its occupation as illegal.
According to Doctors Without Borders, the death toll caused by Israeli forces in Jenin this year has risen to 48 as a result of the recent military operation.
