Israeli Forces Withdraw from⁢ Jenin After Days of Destruction

Today, ⁤Saturday, the ⁤American newspaper​ (Washington Post) reviewed the extent of ⁢destruction caused‌ by Israeli ​forces after their⁣ withdrawal yesterday from the West Bank ⁢city of Jenin.

The withdrawal from Jenin, after more than a week ‌of fighting, took place yesterday Friday morning, after which residents came out of their homes to⁣ assess the damage.

Humanitarian Crisis Unfolds

The Palestinian Health Ministry reported that 21 people were ‌killed in Jenin⁢ and ⁢its sprawling refugee camp, including eight ‍minors ⁢and ​two elderly‍ people.

The incursion ‌into Jenin⁢ began late last month⁢ when hundreds ⁤of Israeli soldiers, police, and intelligence personnel launched operations in several areas of the northern West Bank.

Rising Tensions in‍ the West Bank

Tensions ⁣have risen in the Israeli-occupied West Bank in recent years, as‌ Israeli authorities have expanded Jewish ‌settlements on land that Palestinians hope will be part of a future state.

Since the October 7 attack, Israeli forces have killed at least 634 ​Palestinians in the West Bank and East Jerusalem,‌ according to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs.

Destruction and Displacement

Israeli forces have repeatedly raided the Jenin refugee camp, which has a⁢ long history of combat activity and⁤ has recently re-emerged as a center‍ for a new‍ generation of fighters opposed to the Israeli ⁣occupation.

Families were stranded in homes without⁢ food, water or electricity when raids began suddenly, while ⁣others said they were able to flee to⁤ neighboring villages amid⁢ gun‍ battles and airstrikes.

Israeli forces expelled some of ⁢them, and destroyed homes they searched‌ or seized as bases.

Rebuilding and Recovery

Crowds gathered ‌yesterday morning as Palestinians worked to remove piles of rubble, as local officials from the Palestinian Authority ⁣used​ bulldozers and an excavator to remove⁣ torn cement ‌blocks from⁤ the road.

Jenin’s mayor, Nidal Abu Saleh, estimated the⁢ cost of the⁤ destruction at more ‌than $13 million, but said officials had not yet‍ counted all the damage, including the refugee camp.