BICOM

What happened: Last night the IDF launched a large scale military operation in the city of Jenin and its refugee camp which included both ground forces and airstrikes.

• Over 1000 troops encircled the area, including over 15 IDF bulldozers to combat the improvised explosive devices (IEDs) planted along the roads.
• IDF Spokesperson Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari explained the objective of the operation is to break the terror infrastructure which includes destroying labs where explosive devices and weapons are built, to target armed men, to collect weapons, and to arrest wanted men.
• One of the first targets was the joint terror command post. It served as the shared war room for various terror organisations. It was also used as a meeting point for arming terrorists with weapons and explosive devices and a communication centre for operatives. The command post served as a shelter for wanted operatives for terror attacks in the sector in the last few months.
• The IDF has also targeted a weapons production and IED storage facility. Forces also “located and confiscated an improvised rocket launcher along with additional weapons.”
• During the initial raid, the IDF made announcements over loud speakers: “Troops are operating in the area against armed men. Remain at home! Keep your family safe.”
• However, in parallel there were calls from mosques on the public to resist and to confront IDF troops.
• Israeli media are reporting that 20 wanted men have been arrested so far and an estimated ten terrorists killed.
• Defence Minister Gallant said, “Security forces are concentrating efforts against terrorist hubs in Jenin. We will take an offensive and aggressive stance against terrorism. Anyone who attacks Israeli citizens will pay a high price. The security establishment is prepared for any scenario.”

Context: The IDF have has been preparing for an operation like this for the last year, but it was only recently approved.

• It became more pressing following the recent deadly terror attacks in Eli, the deployment of IEDs against IDF troops and the introduction of rudimentary attempts to launch rockets last week.
• Hagari noted that in the last two years, 50 shooting attacks had originated in Jenin and that 19 terrorists had fled to Jenin. Three Israeli citizens were killed and 14 were wounded in terror attacks originating in Jenin during this time. He added, “Jenin will no longer be a city of asylum for terrorists.”
• Hagari also clarified that the operation is not against the Palestinian Authority, stating “we are strict about coordinating with the Palestinian security organisations as much as possible.”
• Israeli officials have also stressed that this is operation is limited, with no desire to extend it to other cities in the West Bank.
• The joint terror command post that was attacked was in the centre of the refugee camp near UNRWA compounds, including a school, a clinic and a food distribution centre. Hagari said that the enemy had been surprised by the air strike in the heart of the camp, in places that it thought were not known to Israel.

Looking ahead: The IDF is on high alert, including air defence systems in the south, in case Hamas or Palestinian Islamic Jihad decide to fire rockets out of the Gaza Strip.

• This operation is expected to be limited in scope, with no plan to continue beyond a few days for the time being.