Israeli forces pull out of Jenin City, refugee camp after 10 days of violence

The Palestine news agency, WAFA, reported on Friday that Israeli forces have withdrawn from the city of Jenin and its refugee camp, following a 10-day period of intense violence.

The Palestinian health ministry confirmed that 21 people lost their lives during the episode. An eyewitness from Reuters observed widespread destruction of infrastructure left behind by the Israeli forces.

In a statement on Facebook, the Palestinian foreign ministry condemned Israel’s actions, likening the devastation in Jenin and Tulkarm to the destruction caused in the Gaza Strip.

The Israeli army initiated its most extensive military operation in the northern West Bank in 20 years on August 28. According to the Palestinian Health Ministry, the offensive targeted areas including Jenin, Tulkarm, Tubas, and the Al-Fara camp, resulting in the deaths of 36 Palestinians and injuries to over 150 others.

Tensions have escalated across the occupied West Bank as Israel continues its assault on Gaza, which has killed nearly 40,900 Palestinians, mostly women and children, since October 7.

Since the start of the Gaza offensive, at least 691 people have been killed and more than 5,700 injured by Israeli forces in the West Bank, according to the Health Ministry.