'Israel' retreats from Jenin after 10 days of deadly assault

Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) withdrew from the city of Jenin and its refugee camp early Friday after 10 days of intense military operations that left dozens of Palestinians dead and injured and caused widespread destruction.

Residents of the city expressed concerns about the possibility of the IOF returning to raid Jenin and its camp again, particularly as they have repositioned themselves at the surrounding military checkpoints, a pattern seen in previous incidents, according to Palestinian news agency WAFA.

During the assault on Jenin governorate, 21 Palestinians, including children and elderly people, were martyred, and many others were wounded, some critically. The aggression, described as the bloodiest and most violent since 2002, began on August 28.

As of Thursday, the Israeli Occupation military's operation in the northern West Bank, the largest since 2002, had resulted in 39 Palestinian deaths, 150 injuries, and the arrest of dozens.

The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) stated that last week was "the deadliest" for Palestinian civilians in the West Bank since November 2023.

The UN agency emphasized that "the ongoing aggression in Gaza is exacerbating the violence and destruction in the West Bank," calling the situation "unacceptable and demanding an immediate halt."

UNRWA confirmed that last week was the bloodiest since November, with numerous Palestinians, including seven children, martyred.

In a related development, as the assault on Gaza, which began on October 7, 2023, continues, the 'Israeli' military has expanded its operations in the West Bank. Meanwhile, settler attacks have escalated, resulting in the deaths of 691 Palestinians, injuries to around 5,700 others, and the detention of over 10,400 people.