Israeli Soldier Killed and Another Severely Wounded in Jenin Raid

An Israeli soldier was killed and another was severely wounded overnight during a raid in the city of Jenin in the occupied West Bank, the military said on Thursday. The soldier who was killed, a sniper team commander, “fell during operational activity,” the Israel Defense Forces said in a brief statement.

Background

Jenin, located in the north of the West Bank, is home to a refugee camp established over 70 years ago for Palestinians displaced during the conflicts surrounding the creation of Israel. The city and camp are known for their resistance to the occupation, with frequent Israeli raids being conducted in the area over the years.

Recent Developments

Israeli raids in Jenin have become more common since Oct. 7, following a deadly attack on Israel by Hamas, which led to a conflict in Gaza. During the recent overnight raid, the military detained 28 people, with nine remaining in detention, including Jamal Hawail, a member of the Fatah Revolutionary Council.

Human Rights Concerns

The U.N. human rights chief, Volker Türk, stated that Israeli forces and settlers have killed over 500 individuals in the West Bank since Oct. 7. During the same period, 24 Israelis, including eight security forces members, were killed in clashes or what Israel termed as attacks by Palestinians from the West Bank.