According to the Palestinian Health Ministry in Ramallah, at least 78 Palestinians have been killed in Israeli military raids in Jenin since Oct. 7, making it the deadliest period in the city in recent years. Across the West Bank, at least 286 Palestinians have been killed since Oct. 7, with most casualties occurring during Israeli raids and clashes with extremist Israeli settlers.
Residents, camp committee members, Israeli military statements, and Palestinian media reports confirm that the Israeli military has launched numerous raids in Jenin over the past two months, primarily targeting the refugee camp. The camp is an impoverished neighborhood that houses Palestinian refugees and their descendants who were forcibly displaced during the wars surrounding Israel’s creation in 1948. These raids, often conducted overnight and involving bulldozers, have caused significant damage to the camp’s infrastructure.
Mohammad Sabaghi, the head of the camp committee, described the situation as “collective punishment,” noting that water, electricity, phone lines, and the sewage system have all been damaged or destroyed.
The Palestinian Authority’s health minister, Mai Al-Kaila, expressed concern about the “very difficult” situation in Jenin’s hospitals due to the escalating aggression over the past three days. The statement accused Israeli forces of obstructing the arrival of wounded individuals, detaining medical workers, and attacking ambulances.
The Israeli military has not responded to these allegations.
Doctors Without Borders reported that a father in Jenin had to carry his 13-year-old son on foot to a hospital on Wednesday because Israeli armored cars were blocking ambulances. Tragically, the boy was pronounced dead upon arrival.
Wisam Baker, the director of Jenin Hospital, revealed that Israeli forces had set up checkpoints outside the hospital during some raids, making it difficult to provide medical care to those injured.
Christina Goldbaum contributed reporting.