(CLO) Israel's military campaign has turned the Jenin refugee camp in the West Bank into a "ghost town" with a level of destruction not seen in more than 20 years, and could become a "second Gaza Strip" in the future.
Two weeks after the operation began, much of Jenin was abandoned. Thousands of Palestinians were forced to leave, taking what they could with them, after Israel issued a loudspeaker call for evacuation.
The air strikes destroyed roads, infrastructure and many buildings, leaving the area in ruins. Residents described scenes like a ghost town, with black smoke billowing and Israeli soldiers moving between burnt-out houses.
The Israeli military confirmed it had destroyed 23 structures and said it would “continue operations to prevent terrorism”. However, UNRWA – the UN aid agency – warned the operation could undermine the fragile ceasefire in Gaza and escalate tensions.
Smoke rises from the site of several explosions during an Israeli raid on the West Bank city of Jenin on Sunday. Photo: GI
Jenin Governor Kamal Abu al-Rub said only about 100 people remain out of the 3,490 families that once lived there.
Israel has also expanded the operation to other areas in the West Bank, such as Tubas and Tulkarm. At the start of the Jenin operation, Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant said the military would apply its experience from the war in Gaza. "If there were no place names, people would think this was Gaza," Al-Rub said.
Tensions continue to escalate in the West Bank, with hundreds of Palestinians and dozens of Israelis killed since the Gaza war began. Israel warns Jenin could become a "second Gaza".
Ngoc Anh (according to Reuters, AJ)
Source: https://www.congluan.vn/israel-dang-bien-trai-ti-nan-jenin-o-bo-tay-tro-thanh-dai-gaza-thu-hai-post333072.html
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