Residents of Jenin in the occupied West Bank are slowly returning to normal after enduring the longest and deadliest Israeli military operation in the area in two decades. In the aftermath of Operation Summer Camps, which began on August 28, the city is left with destroyed infrastructure such as roads, buildings, and water and electricity services that are severely damaged and unpredictable in terms of restoration timelines.
The Israeli Defense Forces launched the operation targeting Palestinian militant groups following a series of attacks on Israelis. The UN described the tactics used as “lethal war-like tactics”, causing immense destruction and loss of life. The raids focused on urban refugee camps in the West Bank, including Jenin, where many Palestinians live in poor conditions with high levels of poverty, crime, and militancy.
The Israeli military claimed to have killed 14 fighters, including regional leaders of Hamas and Islamic Jihad, and arrested 30 others during the operation. However, the Palestinian health ministry reported 36 total deaths, including civilians, children, and the elderly. The mayor of Jenin estimated infrastructure damage at $13 million.
The new generation of fighters in the camps are loosely affiliated with traditional Palestinian factions and are driven by the lack of opportunities and bleak future in the occupied territories. The residents of Jenin are left with trauma and uncertainty about the future as they continue to face the repercussions of the recent military operation. As international mediators work towards a ceasefire, the people of Jenin are preparing for potential further violence and unrest.
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