Palestinians mourn dead, vow to rebuild Jenin camp as IDF withdraws troops
The Israel Defense Forces declared the end of a large-scale military operation at a refugee camp in Jenin in the occupied West Bank on Wednesday, that left 12 Palestinians and one Israeli soldier dead.
Thousands of Palestinian mourners joined a funeral procession where militants fired into the air and the crowd chanted: “With our souls and blood, we will sacrifice for you, martyr.”
The mourners called for national unity and urged the international community to intervene and protect defenseless Palestinians from continuous IDF violence and aggression, including airstrikes, which they branded war crimes.
A comprehensive strike was declared in Jenin to mourn the dead and condemn the IDF.
Dozens of youths also expressed anger against the Palestinian Authority, led by President Mahmoud Abbas, which did nothing to help them during the operation. They demanded that its delegation leave the camp and not participate in the funerals.
As the IDF pulled out of Jenin, much of the city’s crowded refugee camp was left in ruins by the incursion which displaced at least 3,000 residents.
The invasion involved about 1,000 soldiers from various elite forces, as well as military vehicles, attack helicopters, and drones for reconnaissance, surveillance, and targeted strikes.
Jenin was the place where Israel forces killed Aljazeera reporter Sheireen Abu Akleh last year.
