Although the IDF is currently in the midst of an extensive operation in the Jenin refugee camp, on Tuesday afternoon, when we entered the heart of the refugee camp with the military forces, not a single shot was heard. But it was the exemplary calm that testified more than anything else to the ongoing operation, and to the fact that after almost a day and a half of fighting, the militants went underground so as not to encounter the more than 1,000 soldiers who raided the camp.
Until two days ago, every entry of an open military force, "green" in military parlance, into the heart of the refugee camp was accompanied by great friction with the local militants, including shooting, throwing IEDs and stones, riots, and more.
Rehovot of Jenin Refugee Camp, Photo: Lilach Shoval
In the Judea and Samaria Division, there was a feeling that although the IDF entered the heart of the refugee camp more than once in accordance with operational need and intelligence information, freedom of action there was limited, and therefore the vast majority of local military operations began with a mixed force.
But thanks to the operation that began on the night between Sunday and Monday, the most unusual thing about the refugee camp was the fact that when we entered the heart of the camp in an armored IDF panther, not a single stone was thrown at us, not a single shot was fired in our direction, no IEDs were activated against us and we did not encounter any disturbances.
On the contrary, apart from smoke billowing in the heart of the camp, from our observation from a mosque that dominates the area, we did not see a living soul in the streets, except for a few IDF soldiers who were walking with their weapons drawn and ready to shoot.
Neutralized the threat in 45 hours
The freedom of movement in the heart of the refugee camp yesterday proved that in the extensive operation, thanks to precise intelligence from the Shin Bet and with the assistance of the Air Force, and especially drones that hit targets and militants who tried to harm the military forces, the IDF succeeded in neutralizing the main threat in Judea and Samaria in about 48 hours, and regaining freedom of action in the Jenin refugee camp, at least as of the date of the operation.
IDF soldiers are the only ones seen on the streets of Jenin, Photo: Lilach Shoval
Yesterday, it appeared that the operation was in its final stages, after yesterday morning the army had only ten targets left that the forces must reach according to the list of targets indicated by the Israel Security Agency.
During the two days of the operation, the IDF and Shin Bet managed to arrest dozens of Palestinians, seize ammunition, detonate hundreds of IEDs, interrupt the process of manufacturing weapons, and destroy dozens of manufacturing places, workshops and explosives laboratories.
One of the main places that occupied the IDF was the Al-Ansari Mosque, which contained a shaft with IEDs and weapons, which were interrogated by Yahalam Unit fighters using advanced technological tools. At the same time, the IDF has not moved from house to house, and there is no doubt that there are still quite a few weapons in the Jenin refugee camp that can be used by the militants for attacks and shooting at IDF soldiers.
Ten Palestinians were killed during the operation, but according to military figures, all those killed were armed and involved in hostilities. About 100 other Palestinians were wounded, some of them non-involved, and the IDF stressed that there was no stage at which Palestinians were not allowed to evacuate the wounded by ambulance.
Although the IDF tried not to damage civilian infrastructure, during both days of the operation several water and electricity infrastructures in the camp were damaged, and contacts with the Palestinians began yesterday to rehabilitate the damage to these critical infrastructures.
There is no living soul. Rehovot of Jenin Refugee Camp, Photo: Lilach Shoval
As of this writing, contrary to early fears, the IDF noted yesterday with satisfaction that no one had come to the aid of the militants in the Jenin refugee camp – not their brothers from Judea and Samaria, nor rogue organizations from the Gaza Strip, which, at least at this stage, have not fired at the State of Israel.
The Judea and Samaria Division noted yesterday afternoon that the operation is very close to achieving its goals, and therefore, although the end of the operation has not yet been officially announced, the IDF began summaries last night.
Netanyahu: "Completing the mission"
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who arrived at the Salem crossing, stressed that "at these moments we are completing the mission" and noted that "we will continue as much as necessary to put an end to terrorism, we will not allow Jenin to return to being a city of refuge for terror, and we will cut off terrorism wherever we see it and strike it."
Defense Minister Yoav Galant stressed during a visit to the site: "It will take a little more time and we will reach a situation where we will be able to move anywhere, in the refugee camp to anywhere else, with a team of fighters and not with an entire brigade."
Israel Hayom reporter Lilach Shoval inside the refugee camp, photo: None
As in any military operation, the question of the success or failure of the operation will be examined over time. Yesterday, as mentioned, IDF forces roamed the camp openly without fear.
But the question is whether the amount of terror from the refugee camp will decrease, the self-confidence of the militants will be harmed, and whether, if necessary, in two days, next week and in a month, IDF forces will be able to enter the refugee camp relatively freely, without encountering Molotov cocktails, massive gunfire and IEDs.
The army hopes that despite the fact that for many years the IDF did not operate with such intensity in Judea and Samaria, the extensive operation of the past two days in the heart of the terrorist stronghold will prove that the IDF will not hesitate to act anywhere when necessary, and will not allow terrorists to establish themselves in cities of refuge.
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