A total of seven IDF and Israel Border Police soldiers were injured on Monday during an unusual firefight and ambush of an IDF armored vehicle in Jenin during an operation to arrest two terror operatives from Hamas and the Palestinian Islamic Jihad.
Israeli security forces entered the West Bank city of Jenin early on Monday morning in order to carry out the arrest of two wanted men in the area. During the operation, heavy fighting broke out between the IDF soldiers and Palestinian gunmen, leaving at least three Palestinians dead and 28 wounded as a result, according to the Palestinian Health Ministry.
During the exchange of fire, an IDF armored vehicle was attacked with hidden explosive charges planted along the exit route. As a result, seven soldiers were lightly and moderately wounded.
The injured Israeli forces were evacuated for medical attention and their conditions range from light to moderate injuries.
Vehicles remaining in the ambush
Despite evacuating the injured Israeli forces, up to seven IDF vehicles are still stuck due to the ambush and the IDF said that it will likely take several hours at least to evacuate the vehicles.
A helicopter flies during an Israeli raid in Jenin, in the West Bank June 19, 2023. (credit: REUTERS/RANEEN SAWAFTA)IDF Brig. Gen. Daniel Hagari said that the IDF has greater control over the area now with a mix of helicopters and drones as well as reinforcements from many other IDF ground units nearby.
In total, five Border Police soldiers and two IDF paratroopers were injured.
IDF combat helicopter use
In the middle of the operation, the IDF used a helicopter to fire a missile at an open area in order to regain control over the area.
It was the first time the IDF fired a missile from a helicopter in the West Bank in around 20 years.
Palestinian reports said there were almost 30 injured Palestinians and at least three dead, with some additional Palestinians in serious condition.
Hagari downplayed the idea that the IED used against the IDF vehicle was a new kind of weapon from Hezbollah or some outside force.
However, he said the IDF still needed to investigate how the ambush succeeded at causing such damage to an armored IDF vehicle.
The IDF said it was unclear what the wider consequences would be for relations with the Palestinian Authority, if Gaza would respond and whether the IDF might consider a larger operation in Jenin following the incident.
Comments from Yoav Gallant
Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, who is in Paris for a major air force and defense expo, responded to the incident saying, “IDF forces, border police and Shin Bet forces went to arrest suspects in the Jenin refugee camp. During their exit, there was an ambush,” adding that IDF forces acted bravely and wisely once the situation got messy.
He added that throughout his time as defense minister he has emphasized and continues to reiterate that, “Terror will not have any refuge, not in Jenin, not Nablus, nor Gaza and nowhere else – we will get to every terrorist.”
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