Jenin residents assess damage after intense Israeli military operation

Residents of Jenin, located in the occupied West Bank, are assessing the damage following a nine-day Israeli military operation that began on October 7. This operation is described by locals as the most intense in recent memory, leading to widespread destruction of infrastructure, including severed water and electricity supplies. Many residents have been forced to ration food due to fears of venturing outside amidst ongoing military activity. The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) initiated this operation as part of a broader counterterrorism strategy, which has increasingly targeted areas in the West Bank. Despite the military's withdrawal from Jenin and Tulkarem, an Israeli security source indicated that the operation is merely paused, suggesting ongoing tensions in the region. The violence has resulted in significant casualties, with reports indicating that nearly 700 Palestinians have died in the West Bank since October, including 39 during the recent operation. Among the deceased are eight children, highlighting the tragic impact on civilians. Eyewitness accounts describe harrowing scenes, including individuals being denied medical assistance. As the situation unfolds, the local population grapples with the aftermath of the military actions, which have left many roads impassable and communities in distress. The ongoing conflict in Gaza has overshadowed these events, yet the military's actions in the West Bank continue to escalate, raising concerns about the humanitarian situation and the potential for further violence.