Israel begins troop withdrawal from Jenin after rocket fire from Gaza

Palestinians block roads to protest ongoing Israeli airstrikes and raids in Jenin Credit: Anadolu

Israeli military has begun According to security officials , the withdrawal of troops from a militant stronghold in the occupied West Bank late Tuesday evening, the end of an intense two-day operation that killed at least 13 Palestinians and an Israeli soldier.

But sporadic fighting between Israeli troops and Palestinian militants continued to remain in parts of the Jenin refugee camp, delaying the withdrawal of troops.

The army said the soldier was killed in action late Tuesday night, but did not provide any further details.

Just after midnight, residents of the Jenin refugee camp said the army had left the area and people began to return to the streets.

Tensions are exacerbated by the army's announcement that militants in the Gaza Strip have fired five rockets at Israel. It said that all missiles were intercepted, but the launches increased the risk of hostilities on the second front.

Israel usually responds to rocket attacks with airstrikes against targets in Gaza.

A man runs during clashes between Palestinians and Israeli forces. : Reuters

The events came just hours after a Hamas operative crashed his car into a crowded bus stop in Tel Aviv and began stabbing people, injuring eight, including a pregnant woman who reportedly lost her baby.

The attacker was killed by an armed passerby. Hamas said the attack was retaliation for the Israeli offensive.

Israel's National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, the leader of the hardline settlers, rushed to the site of Tuesday's attack in Tel Aviv.

«We knew terror would rear its head,» Ben-Gvir said. He praised the man who killed the attacker and called for more townspeople to arm themselves as the enraged bystander interrupted him.

A service car passes by emergency aid as Israeli troops begin to withdraw from Jenin. Photo: Reuters

Earlier Tuesday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the operation in the West Bank, one of the most intense in the territory in two decades, was nearing completion. end. But he promised to conduct similar offensive operations in the future.

“We are currently completing the mission, and I can say that our large-scale operation in Jenin is not a one-time operation,” he said.

During the withdrawal of troops, the Israeli military said they had launched an airstrike on a cell of militants located in a cemetery. It says that the militants threatened the troops leaving the camp. There were no reports of casualties.

Israeli and Palestinian officials also reported fighting near a hospital in Jenin late on Tuesday. Palestinian hospital officials told the official Wafa news agency that three civilians were hit by Israeli fire.

More than 140 Palestinians have been killed in the West Bank this year, and no more have died in Palestinian attacks against Israelis. less than 25 people.< /p>