Israel’s defence minister says forces occupy Jenin camp in West Bank

Israeli forces carried out an air strike in the Jenin area of the West Bank, killing three people. According to the Israeli military, the strike targeted a Hamas operative, Qais Bitawi, and two of his accomplices. The military claimed Bitawi was involved in directing attacks on Israeli civilians and security forces, and maintained ties with Hamas members in Gaza and abroad.

The Israeli military rarely uses air power in the Palestinian territory, which it has occupied since 1967. The West Bank has seen a surge in militant Israeli settler attacks on Palestinians as well as military raids into Palestinian towns. The northern West Bank, where Jenin is located, was the site of a major Israeli assault last year, which the military says was against militant strongholds.

Israel's Defence Minister, Israel Katz, said the military would remain permanently in Jenin. According to Middle East Eye, Katz stated that the Israeli military had evacuated the residents and occupied the Jenin camp. The Palestine Red Crescent ambulance service reported that Israeli ground troops raided the site of the drone strike, briefly detained medics, and prevented them from transporting those wounded or killed to hospital, though the Israeli military did not immediately comment on that claim.

Brief written by urgent.news from Middle East Eye, France 24, The National UAE, The National Business — 4 reports on this story. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.