At least three dead in Israeli military offensive in the West Bank Climate activists fill holes in Spanish golf courses with cement

At least three Palestinians have been killed in a large-scale Israeli military operation in the West Bank city of Jenin. About two dozen others were injured, seven of them in critical condition, the Palestinian health ministry said Monday.

Operation “Home and Garden”, which according to Israeli information was targeting “terrorist infrastructure”, was still underway early Monday morning. The region around Jenin and the accompanying refugee camp with about 17,000 inhabitants has been a stronghold of militant Palestinians for years.

The army said several targeted airstrikes during the night hit a weapons depot, a terrorist rendezvous point and a command and communications center that is also used as an observation post. According to Palestinian reports, there were power cuts all over Jenin.

Videos showed several destroyed roads. The Israeli army entered the city shortly after the airstrikes with about 100 military vehicles and ground troops. According to Palestinian reports, violent clashes with residents then broke out.

Israeli army spokesman Richard Hecht said the operation will last “as long as it takes”. That is why the army is focusing on the refugee camp in Jenin. At least seven terrorists were neutralized there during the night. It is not clear whether they died. According to Hecht, several dozen attacks on Israelis were carried out by camp residents.

In addition to Hamas, which rules the Gaza Strip, the militant Islamic Jihad and other loose groups in Jenin have also gained enormous influence in recent years. Hamas in the morning called for the mobilization of Palestinians in the West Bank and pledged support for their fighters in Jenin. A spokesman for the militant Palestinian organization Islamic Jihad said: “As long as this aggression does not stop, the options for responding will be broad and comprehensive.”

Israeli Defense Minister Joav Galant said the army will remain “proactive and decisive” in Jenin. The Israeli defense apparatus is prepared for any scenario.

The security situation in Israel and the Palestinian territories has been tense for a long time and has recently deteriorated again. The government, among others, has recently called for a large-scale military offensive.

After two Palestinians killed four Israelis in the West Bank nearly two weeks ago, angry Israeli settlers there repeatedly used violence against Palestinians. In addition, the military carried out a targeted airstrike against Palestinians in the West Bank for the first time in decades.

More than two dozen people have been killed in attacks by Palestinians since the beginning of the year. During the same period, more than 143 Palestinians were shot during confrontations, Israeli military operations or after their own attacks.

Israel captured the West Bank and East Jerusalem during the 1967 Six-Day War. The Palestinians claim the areas for their own state. (sda/dpa)