Eight IDF soldiers were wounded in the terrorist hotbed of Jenin on Monday after an arrest operation turned into a shootout that lasted nearly eight hours.
Israeli Border Police and IDF paratroopers arrived in the Palestinian Authority enclave in the early morning hours to arrest two suspected terrorists, one each from the Iranian-backed Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) terror organizations.
“During the activity, a massive exchange of fire took place between the forces and armed gunmen in the area. Large numbers of explosive devices were hurled at the forces. The forces responded with live fire,” the IDF and Border Police said in a joint statement.
The forces were ambushed by gunfire as they began to leave, with an Israeli armored vehicle hit by hidden explosives planted along their exit route.
Helicopters Join Jenin Operation after 5 IDF Soldiers Are Injured in Explosives Ambush
For the first time since the second intifada in 2002, an IDF Apache helicopter joined in the fighting, firing missiles at the terrorists while dodging anti-aircraft fire. Bullet holes from the terrorists’ anti-aircraft fire were later found in the body of the helicopter.
הותר לפרסום: פגיעות זוהו בגוף המסוק שפעל בג'נין pic.twitter.com/ua25u6YkWo
— חנן גרינווד (@hanan_green) June 19, 2023
“After identifying armed gunmen in the city of Jenin, IDF helicopters opened fire toward the attackers to assist in the extraction of the forces,” the IDF spokesperson said in a statement.
تغطية صحفية: لحظة تفجير جيب الاحتلال بعبوة ناسفة شديدة الانفجار في جنين. pic.twitter.com/UZCxvUHC4q
— شبكة قدس الإخبارية (@qudsn) June 19, 2023
Islamic Jihad claimed responsibility for the bombing and subsequent attack on the military vehicle and its occupants.
Eight soldiers were moderately and mildly wounded in the bombing, as was a canine fighter from the IDF’s K-9 unit.
A spokesperson for Rambam Medical Center in Haifa said five of the fighters were admitted there. Two were undergoing surgery. Two more soldiers were taken to Sheba Medical Center outside Tel Aviv. The eighth fighter was taken to another hospital with minor shrapnel wounds.
All are recuperating.
Prime Minister, IDF Brass, Police Visit the Wounded
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visited all of the soldiers who were wounded in the morning’s operation in Jenin. Netanyahu first visited three soldiers from the Border Police Judea and Samaria undercover unit, then a soldier from the K-9 (canine) unit, and finally Sgt. Aviya Tronekh from the Paratroop Corps Reconnaissance Unit.
Rambam Director Prof. Michael Halberthal and Trauma Unit head Dr. Hany Bahouth briefed the prime minister on the status of the wounded and the medical care they have received.
Netanyahu also spoke with soldiers from the Border Police Judea and Samaria undercover unit, who told him about how the events of this morning unfolded.
“We are striking the terrorists with strength and determination. In recent months, we have eliminated and arrested a record number of terrorists, and this was the case during the operation in the Jenin area. Our forces eliminated several terrorists and arrested others. They were fired on from an ambush and acted in an exemplary manner,” Netanyahu told reporters following the visit.
“I have just visited the wounded, very impressive people. It must be pointed out that they come from all walks of Israeli society, and this must be seen, a Druze soldier, a soldier of Ethiopian descent and one who emigrated from Ukraine ten years ago, alongside other soldiers. Simply put, it is moving to see them helping each other, shoulder to shoulder, and how they operated in the field in order to rescue their comrades.
“This is our determination, our strength and our commitment to fight terrorism everywhere. We will continue to do so. When you meet these soldiers, you understand that the people of Israel and the State of Israel may certainly be proud. I would also like to thank the doctors, the medical team, the nurses and the surgeons for the exceptional care they are giving our soldiers. This is part of the strength of Israeli society.”
Police Chief Kobi Shabtai, Border Police commander Amir Cohen and Judea & Samaria police district commander Barak Mordechai visited the wounded soldiers in the earlier afternoon hours.
“Heavy fire was fired at us and explosives were thrown at us from several locations,” said Sergeant BG and Sergeant TK, a fighter and medic at the Judea & Samaria police station who were injured in the operation. “Heavy fire was directed at us and and explosives were thrown at us from several locations,” they told their visitors.
“Together with the soldiers we managed to arrest the wanted suspects and hit a large number of terrorists.
“As soon as the force was hit, I and another medic in the force began to treat the soldiers and in a short time paramedics and other forces arrived,” one of the injured soldiers explained.
“We are determined to recover and return to our friends and to the operation soon.”
Five Terrorists Dead
The ensuing battle left five terrorists dead and an estimated 28 to 62 others wounded in the first Israeli air strike carried out by a military helicopter in Judea and Samaria since the second intifada, in 2002.
The Palestinian Authority health ministry as usual inflated its numbers, claiming that “at least 91” people were wounded in the fighting.
“The time has come to replace the pinpoint activity with a broad operation to eradicate the nests of terrorism in northern Samaria and to restore deterrence and security in the region,” Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich declared in a statement.
Speaking at the opening of the Israeli pavilion at the Le Bourget Defense Exhibition in Paris, Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant expressed his wishes for a speedy recovery for the injured soldiers.
“In recent hours, IDF troops entered Jenin in order to apprehend terrorists. This is yet another operation among many that have been conducted by the IDF, ISA and Border Police, during which our troops showed courage and professionalism in the face of heavy fire,” Gallant said.
“In fighting terrorism, we may not compromise. We will continue to fight terrorism proactively. We will use all the tools at our disposal and strike terrorists wherever they may be.
“Terrorists will not find a safe haven – not in Jenin, not in Nablus and not in Gaza.”
