Israeli Forces Withdraw From West Bank Refugee Camps

Mourners carry the bodies of Palestinian men who were killed during an Israeli military operation, some draped in the Palestinian and the Islamic Jihad militant group flags, during their funeral in Je

Israeli forces have withdrawn from three refugee camps in the occupied West Bank after a more-than weeklong military operation that resulted in dozens of casualties and widespread destruction. The withdrawal from the Jenin refugee camp was observed early Friday morning, with no remaining troops seen inside the camp. The military operation targeted militants in Jenin, Tulkarem, and the Al-Faraa refugee camps to address recent sophisticated and deadly attacks against Israeli civilians.

While troops have been pulled out of the Tulkarem camp and had previously left Al-Faraa, the Israeli military indicated that the operation was ongoing to achieve counterterrorism objectives. The operation, described as the deadliest in the West Bank since the Israel-Hamas war began, involved hundreds of Israeli troops employing aggressive tactics.

The focus of the operation was the Jenin refugee camp, a stronghold of Palestinian militancy that has intensified since the start of the Gaza conflict nearly 11 months ago. The fighting in Jenin resulted in the deaths of 21 Palestinians, mostly militants according to the military, out of the 39 reported casualties in the West Bank.

Operation aimed at addressing recent deadly attacks on Israeli civilians.

Israeli forces withdrew from Jenin, Tulkarem, and Al-Faraa refugee camps.

Jenin camp was the main focus, resulting in 21 Palestinian militant deaths.

Israeli military continues operation to achieve counterterrorism objectives.

Severe impact on Palestinian civilians with disrupted services and restricted movement.

Militants planted explosives in civilian areas, leading to infrastructure destruction.

Polio vaccination campaign resumes in Gaza after 25 years due to confirmed case.

Efforts to negotiate cease-fire in Gaza face challenges, including border control disagreements.

Hamas proposes terms for a deal involving hostages, Israeli withdrawal, and prisoner release.

War in Gaza triggered by Hamas attack has caused significant casualties on both sides.

The impact on Palestinian civilians in Jenin has been severe, with disrupted essential services, restricted movement, and delays in medical evacuations due to the search for militants by Israeli forces. The destruction of infrastructure in the camp was attributed to militants planting explosives in civilian areas.

In a separate development, health workers in southern Gaza resumed a polio vaccination campaign following the confirmation of the first polio case in 25 years. The vaccination effort, supported by UNICEF and the World Health Organization, aims to immunize 640,000 Palestinian children in Gaza against polio.

The war in Gaza, triggered by a Hamas attack on Israel, has resulted in significant casualties on both sides. Efforts to negotiate a cease-fire have faced challenges, including disagreements over Israeli control of border corridors. Hamas has proposed terms for a deal involving the release of hostages, Israeli withdrawal, and the release of Palestinian prisoners.