Fiercest fighting in years erupts in West Bank city of Jenin, at least 5 Palestinians killed
Source: Associated Press
Fiercest fighting in years erupts in West Bank city of Jenin, at least 5 Palestinians killed
By ILAN BEN ZION and MAJDI MOHAMMED
June 19, 2023
JENIN REFUGEE CAMP, West Bank (AP) Israeli military forces raided a refugee camp in the northern West Bank on Monday, igniting the fiercest day of fighting in years as Palestinian militants detonated roadside bombs and Israeli helicopter gunships struck Palestinian gunmen to rescue troops trapped in the hourslong firefight.
At least 5 Palestinians were killed, including a 15-year-old boy, and over 90 others were wounded, Palestinian health officials said. Seven Israeli soldiers were also wounded, the army said.
The Israeli military said forces stormed into the Jenin refugee camp in the early morning to arrest two wanted militants. They faced fierce resistance. Palestinian militants said they ambushed Israeli armored vehicles with explosive devices, disabling several vehicles with troops trapped inside.
Israeli military spokesman Lt. Col. Richard Hecht described Palestinian militants use of at least one powerful roadside bomb as very unusual and dramatic. Five mangled vehicles were stuck in the firefight for hours, requiring the military to dispatch helicopters as part of an elaborate evacuation operation.
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Read more: https://apnews.com/article/israel-palestinians-west-bank-f9499fa4013e39e7f3ee9036b35338ce