Deadliest Israeli Raid in Years Kills 10 in Jenin

Israeli forces killed 10 Palestinians, including an elderly woman, during a major raid on Jenin refugee camp today in the deadliest single operation in the occupied West Bank since the Second Intifada.

The Raid

Operation Details:

Started 10 AM, lasted 4+ hours
Hundreds of soldiers deployed
Apache helicopters used
House targeted and destroyed
Intense gunfights throughout
Ambulances blocked

The Casualties:

10 killed (ages 14-61)
61-year-old woman shot in home
20+ wounded, several critical
Paramedics among injured
Bodies held by forces initially

Escalating Violence

2023 Death Toll:

30 Palestinians killed in January
Deadliest start to year since 2000s
Daily raids intensifying
New government’s hardline approach
Armed resistance growing

Jenin Under Siege:

Nightly incursions
Infrastructure damaged
Economy paralyzed
Youth radicalized
Collective punishment

Immediate Aftermath

Palestinian Response:

General strike declared
Rage across West Bank
Armed groups vow revenge
Rockets from Gaza
International protection demanded

Israeli Justification:

IDF: “Counterterrorism operation against Islamic Jihad cell planning imminent attacks.”

PM Netanyahu: “We will not tolerate terrorism. Our forces acted precisely.”

Witness Accounts

Mahmoud Abu Srour (resident): “They came with massive force. Helicopters firing, explosions everywhere. It was like war.”

Dr. Wissam Baker (hospital director): “They shot at ambulances. We couldn’t reach wounded for hours. Some bled to death.”

International Reactions

UN Condemnation:

“The use of airstrikes in refugee camp is unprecedented and disproportionate.”

US Statement:

“Deeply concerned about loss of civilian life. Urge de-escalation.”

Regional Response:

Jordan: “Dangerous escalation”
Egypt: “Undermines stability”
Saudi: Rare criticism
Turkey: “State terrorism”

New Government Impact

Ben-Gvir Factor:

Promised tough approach
Police given free hand
Settlers emboldened
Palestinians targeted
Escalation predicted

Policy Shift:

From containment to confrontation
Collective punishment expanded
International law ignored
Military solution only
Political horizon rejected

Jenin Significance

Why Targeted:

Armed groups present
Symbol of resistance
2002 battle legacy
Youth taking up arms
PA control minimal

Camp Conditions:

14,000 refugees
Unemployment 50%+
No future prospects
Siege mentality
Nothing to lose

Cycle of Violence

Expected Retaliation:

Shooting attacks likely
Jerusalem operations possible
Gaza involvement risk
Lone wolf attacks
Regional tensions

Israeli Preparations:

Reinforcements deployed
Checkpoints strengthened
Intelligence gathering
Preemptive arrests
Public alerts issued

Medical Crisis

Hospital Overwhelmed:

Operating rooms full
Blood supplies depleted
Critical cases transferred
Staff exhausted
Equipment damaged

Ambulance Attacks:

Red Crescent targeted
Medics shot at
Access denied
War crime alleged
Investigation demanded

Historical Context

Deadliest Since:

2002 Jenin battle
Second Intifada operations
Different era dynamics
But similar devastation
Trauma resurfaces

Pattern Emerging:

Daily raids normalized
Death toll mounting
Resistance growing
Spiral deepening
No exit visible

Analysis: Dangerous Escalation

Today’s raid represents:

Tactical Success, Strategic Failure:

Militants killed
But martyrs created
Resistance strengthened
International condemnation
Cycle continues

New Government’s Approach:

Iron fist policy
No political solution
Military option only
Escalation inevitable
Costs mounting

Palestinian Dynamics:

PA further weakened
Armed groups empowered
Youth radicalized
Unity in anger
Desperation growing

International Implications:

US influence limited
Regional stability threatened
Two-state solution dead
Apartheid reality
Intervention calls growing

The Jenin raid marks not just another operation but a qualitative escalation under Israel’s new far-right government. With 10 dead in one day and promises of tougher action ahead, the stage is set for a violent year that could spiral beyond anyone’s control.