Jenin under fire: Israeli forces destroy explosive labs, neutralise militants, and seize weapons VIDEO

Over the past two days, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), Shin Bet (Israel's internal security agency), and Border Police conducted a counterterrorism operation in the Jenin area as part of ongoing efforts to address terrorism in northern Samaria, according to IDF press service.

The operation involved airstrikes by the Israeli Air Force, guided by Shin Bet intelligence, which targeted and eliminated three armed militants in the area, Caliber.Az reports citing IDF's message on telegram.

These individuals were reportedly involved in recent shooting attacks on military positions and Israeli communities. Secondary explosions at the strike sites confirmed the presence of weapons.

Ground operations featured reservists from the Duvdevan Unit, Haruv Reconnaissance Unit soldiers, undercover operatives, and Border Police officers. During firefights, six armed militants were neutralized. These militants were implicated in shooting and bombing attacks targeting IDF personnel.

Over the course of the mission, forces destroyed four explosive manufacturing facilities and dozens of improvised explosive devices (IEDs) planted along roads to ambush Israeli forces. Ten weapons were seized, and several individuals suspected of terrorist activities were arrested. The detainees and confiscated weapons were handed over to Shin Bet for further investigation. The operation concluded without any casualties among Israeli forces.

Following the operation, Israeli troops withdrew from the town of Jenin and its refugee camp in the occupied West Bank.

According to Beshir Metahin, a spokesperson for the Jenin administration’s public relations office, the two-day military action resulted in significant damage to infrastructure, including the destruction of several homes and the targeting of four kilometres of water and sewage networks. Jenin’s refugee camp has been without electricity for two days. Metahin also reported that numerous Palestinians were detained and later released. The attacks left eight Palestinians dead and 19 others injured.

In related developments, the United States on November 20 vetoed a UN Security Council resolution calling for a permanent ceasefire between Israel and Hamas and the unconditional release of all hostages. The resolution, supported by the council’s other 14 members, was sponsored by its 10 non-permanent members. The veto came as the Gaza conflict, which began on October 7, 2023, entered its 13th month.

“A durable end to the war must come with the release of the hostages. These two urgent goals are inextricably linked. This resolution abandoned that necessity, and for that reason, the United States could not support it,” explained Deputy US Ambassador to the UN, Robert Wood.

The escalation in the Middle East began on October 7, 2023, when Hamas militants infiltrated Israel from Gaza, killing residents of border communities and taking over 240 hostages. In response, Israel launched a large-scale military operation aimed at dismantling Hamas’s political and military infrastructure while seeking to secure the hostages' release. The conflict continues unabated.

By Tamilla Hasanova