Recap of events in Jenin this week: Resistance snatch landmark victory
The events unfolding showed that the Israeli occupation failed to achieve its preannounced objectives, as he failed to break the spirit of resistance in the Jenin Refugee Camp.
After "Israel" launched its so-called "Operation Home and Garden" post-midnight on July 3, the Palestinian Resistance responded by announcing they engaged the intruding Israeli occupation forces under the Fury of Jenin Battle.
Earlier, on the evening of July 2, Al-Quds Brigades - Jenin Brigade announced that it had downed an Israeli quadcopter drone that was flying over the Jenin camp as Israeli occupation forces collected information in preparation for their invasion of the city of Jenin and its camp.
"دورون من سوق الجمعة".. إسقاط طائرة مسيرة إسرائيلية بإطلاق نار في مخيم جنين.#فلسطين pic.twitter.com/ixg8ZgdiPE
— شبكة قدس الإخبارية (@qudsn) July 2, 2023
On late Sunday, local sources in Jenin reported increased activity of Israeli drones over the city, as fear grew over the possibility of a large-scale military campaign. At 1:13 AM on Monday, the first explosion was reported in the city followed by a series of strikes carried out by drones before armored vehicles invaded Jenin a few minutes after.
It was later announced that Israeli occupation Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu gave the green light for the aggression that was expected to last for 72 hours. Israeli media revealed that the aggression was led by the commander of the West Brigade in the occupation army, Avi Blut, who commanded over 1,000 troops.
July 3 roundup
The first night of confrontations was marked by heavy fighting and the use of locally produced explosives as well as improvised explosive devices (IEDs), which halted the advancement of Israeli forces into the Jenin camp.
In the meantime, Israeli bulldozers worked on destroying civilian roads and homes to isolate the Jenin camp from the city.
فيديو متداول للحظة إصابة جرافة للاحتلال بشكل مباشر بعبوة ناسفة خلال العدوان على مخيم #جنين. pic.twitter.com/ksgVAyxTF1
— قناة الميادين (@AlMayadeenNews) July 3, 2023
On Monday morning, Palestinian factions affirmed that the Resistance will continue to confront the intruding forces, stressing that the IOF will not achieve the objectives it seeks.
The President of the Palestinian Authority (PA), Mahmoud Abbas, announced that the PA will end its security coordination with the Israeli occupation.
The Resistance's Joint Operations Room announced that its response to "Israel" will correspond to the IOF's level of escalation in Jenin, hinting that the breach of the rules of engagement in the camp such as the use of tanks or wide-scale bombing would lead to rocket launch from Gaza. This was also followed by a statement from the Lebanese Resistance group, Hezbollah, that expressed its readiness to support the Palestinian Resistance in any way the latter sees fit.
Palestinians in 1948 occupied territories as well as the West Bank and Gaza also protested in solidarity with Jenin.
July 4 roundup
Going into the second day, footage showing Resistance fighters confronting Israeli forces began to circulate, as reports about the failure of the so-called "operation" began to headline the talking points of Israeli media outlets.
The IOF issued a warning to all residents of the Jenin camp to begin evacuating their homes in preparation for a bombing campaign on it. However, many citizens refused to comply with the orders of the occupying forces in a show of support for their local Resistance fighters.
By now, it became apparent that the people of Jenin were not left alone to fend for themselves, as humanitarian aid began to make its way towards the city, not to mention several statements released by groups in the West Bank announcing that their fighters from several Palestinian cities and towns headed to the camp to aid their comrades in Jenin.
The second day of fighting was headlined by several failures for the IOF in advancing its forces on various fronts in Jenin, which in turn revealed the effectiveness of the Resistance's tactics in targeting IOF vehicles and forces with IEDs and heavy gunfire.
Read more: Jenin Fury carving new rules of engagement, deterrence in WB: Analysis
The UN and WHO condemned the Israeli aggression on Jenin, pointing out that the IOF obstructed medical teams from reaching injured Palestinians, while the UN slammed "Israel" for breaching international law as it deployed attack drones in its "policing operation". Reports also indicated that the IOF attacked hospitals in Jenin on several occasions.
"He was bleeding... we could not treat him at all..."
— Al Mayadeen English (@MayadeenEnglish) July 5, 2023
Residents of #Jenin recount their harrowing experiences following a two-day Israeli aggression that resulted in the death of 12 #Palestinians.#Palestine pic.twitter.com/babgtXo66j
The Israeli aggression against the city and camp of Jenin was also condemned by the Arab League, Iran, Algeria, Qatar, Jordan, Yemen, Saudi Arabia, Lebanon, and Egypt, among others.
Protesters in Sanaa, #Yemen, burn the Israeli and the US flags in condemnation of the recent Israeli aggression on #Jenin. pic.twitter.com/Nsr9RI8Pak
— Al Mayadeen English (@MayadeenEnglish) July 4, 2023
To make things worse for the Israeli occupation, Hamas claimed responsibility for a ramming operation in "Tel Aviv" that injured seven Israeli settlers, carried out as a response to the aggression against Jenin.
As night drew closer, the scale of the IOF's failure in Jenin began to surface, as video footage and statements from Resistance groups in the city indicated an intensification of sapper unit operations and ambushes that led to direct hits and casualties among the IOF.
#Watch | Footage shows an explosive device being detonated below an Israeli armored vehicle in Jenin, possibly disabling it.#JeninUnderAttack
— Al Mayadeen English (@MayadeenEnglish) July 4, 2023
#Palestine #بأس_جنين
#جنين_عاصمة_المواجهة pic.twitter.com/OxEzQoaluN
Later, Israeli media began to circulate news of a possible withdrawal of occupation forces from Jenin, which turned out to be an attempt at drawing out Resistance fighters from their positions. However, the well-prepared Resistance fighters did not take that bait.
Finally, Israeli forces began to actually withdraw from Jenin, as citizens returned to celebrate the victory of the Palestinian Resistance, after an unsuccessful two-day aggression.
The aftermath
Although the IOF's aggression against the camp led to the destruction of the majority of its infrastructure, Palestinians from nearby towns rallied quickly to clean up the rubble and began efforts for reconstruction.
The streets and infrastructure of #Jenin are significantly damaged as a result of the Israeli bulldozers wreaking havoc during their incursion into the camp.#Palestine #JeninUnderAttack pic.twitter.com/Ezjrlk3CqH
— Al Mayadeen English (@MayadeenEnglish) July 3, 2023
In a show of its readiness to confront the occupation, if necessary, the Resistance in Gaza launched a salvo of rockets toward the envelope settlements just after Israeli forces withdrew from the camp. Later, Israeli occupation warplanes targeted several locations in the Strip.
Commenting on the withdrawal of the Israeli occupation forces from Jenin, Israeli media acknowledged that on a strategic level, the "Israeli operation in Jenin won't change reality in the West Bank."
Reports revealed that Israeli military commanders halted the aggression as quickly as possible to "limit casualties and avoid an escalation."
The media also suggested that the "operation will not restore Israeli deterrence", but rather Hamas and the Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) movement will continue with full force to "control" the West Bank.
In total 12 Palestinians were martyred in the Israeli aggression:
- Martyr Ahmad Mohammad Al-Aamer, a 21-year-old field commander for the Al-Quds Brigades - Jenin Brigade.
- Martyr Samih Firas Abu Al-Wafa, a 20-year-old Resistance fighter.
- Martyr Majdi Younes Ararawi, a 17-year-old Resistance fighter who operated within the Jenin Brigade's Sapper Unit.
- Martyr Aws Hani Hanoun, a 19-year-old Resistance fighter.
- Martyr Ali Hani Al-Ghoul, a 17-year-old Resistance fighter.
- Martyr Abed Al-Rahman Hassan Hardan, a 17-year-old Resistance fighter.
- Martyr Hussam Mohammad Abu Theebah, an 18-year-old Resistance fighter.
- Martyr Nour Al-Din Hussam Marshoud, a 16-year-old Resistance fighter.
- Martyr Jawad Mujahid Nairat, a 20 year old Palestinian.
- Martyr Mohammad Muhannad Al-Shami, a 26-year-old Palestinian.
- Martyr Ouday Ibrahim Khumasiyah, a 20-year-old Palestinian
- Martyr Mustafa Imad Qassem, a 16-year-old Palestinian.
The Israeli occupation has so far announced the death of a soldier from the "Egoz" special reconnaissance unit during the latest aggression.
Al-Quds Brigades - Jenin Brigade celebrated on Wednesday the victory of the Palestinian Resistance over the invading Israeli forces.
"The Palestinian Resistance, chiefly Al-Quds Brigades - Jenin Brigade, wrote in the battle of the Fury of Jenin the most magnificent epics of heroism and sacrifice," the Brigade underlined.
It cost the enemy heavy losses in this round of confrontations which will go down in the history of the struggle of the Palestinian people, it added.
🔴🇵🇸 Palestinian Resistance - #Jenin Brigade's touching act: Members distribute toys, bringing smiles to children in the #Jenincamp, spreading hope and joy amidst adversity. Their compassionate gesture showcases the enduring spirit of humanity in challenging times.#جنين_تنتصر pic.twitter.com/uDyAUVBrFn
— Haidar Akarar (@HaidarAkarar) July 8, 2023
The group thanked the steadfast Palestinian people residing in the Jenin camp, its countryside, and the cities that embraced its people. The Jenin Brigade also saluted the families of those martyred, injured, and detained during the battle for the great sacrifices they made.
Read more: Jenin Brigade publishes pictures of IOF drones downed during battle