FIERCE BATTLE BETWEEN IDF AND PALESTINIAN MILITANTS IN JENIN

Israel carries out rare air attack in Jenin; troops injured in heavy clashes

The last time the IDF used attack aircraft in operations in the West Bank was in the early 2000s.

 

By  Lilach Shoval , Dana Ben-Shimon and AP 

 

Israel Hayom

June 19, 2023

 

Smoke rises from fighting between Israeli forces and Palestinian militants in the West Bank city of Jenin Monday, June 19, 2023

 

At least seven Israeli troops sustained injuries Monday after coming under fire while conducting an arrest raid in the West Bank city of Jenin.

The fighters are said to have sustained light and moderate injuries.

The operation included the rare use of Israeli attack helicopters in the territory.

"As the security forces exited the city, a military vehicle was hit by an explosive device, damaging the vehicle," the IDF said, adding that helicopters "opened fire toward the gunmen in order to assist in extraction of the forces."

Unconfirmed amateur video footage from Jenin – a known Islamic stronghold – appeared to show an explosion targeting an Israeli armored vehicle. Another video posted online appeared to show Israeli military helicopter launching a rocket during the campaign.

 

An IDF Apache helicopter is seen launching missiles in the northern West Bank city of Jenin, June 19, 2023

 

The IDF rarely uses aircraft in its operations in the West Bank, and according to media reports, this was the first such use of a helicopter in the region since the early 2000s.

Three Palestinians were killed and 29 injured in the clashes.

The IDF has been conducting near-nightly raids in the West Bank as part of its anti-terrorism campaign. Since the start of the year, some 20 Israelis have been killed in Palestinian terror attacks, including children.