Israeli Soldier Killed in West Bank as Forces Begin Withdrawal
An Israeli soldier was killed on Tuesday evening after being shot in the West Bank city of Jenin, as Israeli forces started to withdraw from the area. The soldier, identified as Sgt. First Class David Yehuda Yitzhak from the elite Egoz commando unit, was treated at the scene before being taken to a hospital in Israel where he was pronounced dead.
According to the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) spokesman Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari, the soldier was shot while securing the beginning of the military’s withdrawal from Jenin. The army is currently investigating whether the soldier was hit by Palestinian gunfire or “friendly fire” from other Israeli forces in the area.
Yitzhak, 23, from the West Bank settlement of Beit El, will be buried at Jerusalem’s Mount Herzl military cemetery on Wednesday afternoon.
As Israeli troops were leaving the West Bank city later on Tuesday night, there were sporadic clashes between Palestinian gunmen and Israeli forces. The withdrawal was completed during the pre-dawn hours of Wednesday. However, the IDF confirmed that troops would remain on alert in the area “to be prepared for whatever is required.”
Residents in the Jenin refugee camp reported that the army had left the area, allowing people to return to the streets. However, they described finding devastation with roads torn up and buildings reduced to rubble.
During the pullout, the IDF carried out an airstrike against Palestinian gunmen stationed at a cemetery on the outskirts of Jenin who posed a threat to security forces. Palestinian media outlets reported several casualties in the strike.
The major operation in Jenin was launched on Monday to crack down on what Israel says is a hotbed of terror in the city. The operation focused on the local wing of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad terror group known as the Jenin Battalion, as well as other smaller armed groups in the city and refugee camp.
According to Palestinian health officials, 13 people were killed and at least 100 others were wounded, including 20 in serious condition, during Israeli airstrikes and clashes with Israeli forces. The IDF reported that at least 18 Palestinian gunmen had been killed.
Jenin Mayor Nidal Al-Obeidi said approximately 4,000 Palestinians, nearly one third of the camp, fled to stay with relatives or in shelters. Some residents claimed that soldiers forcibly entered their homes and locked their families inside, as well as denying access to food for children and blocking emergency crews. The IDF has denied these allegations.
The operation involved over 1,000 IDF troops and was considered to be the largest in the West Bank in the past 20 years.
The northern West Bank, particularly the city of Jenin, has been viewed by the IDF as a hotbed of terrorism due to a series of attacks in the area. Tensions between Israelis and Palestinians have been heightened in the West Bank, with nightly raids by the military and a number of deadly terror attacks.
Since the beginning of this year, Palestinian attacks in Israel and the West Bank have claimed the lives of 24 people. Meanwhile, 147 West Bank Palestinians have been killed, with most being involved in clashes with security forces or carrying out attacks.
An investigation into the soldier’s death is ongoing.