2023 becomes deadliest year for Palestinians in the West Bank as Israeli military launches fresh attack on Jenin

3 July 2023

The Israeli military has launched another attack on Jenin refugee camp in the northern West Bank, killing eight Palestinians and injuring 50 more, according to the Palestinian Ministry of Health. As of 3pm local time on Monday 3 July, ten people remain in a critical condition.

The attack began overnight on Monday, when the Israeli military launched multiple aerial drone strikes on sites in Jenin. Israeli army vehicles then surrounded the camp and launched a large-scale ground incursion.

The Palestine Red Crescent Society (PRCS) report that ambulances have been delayed from accessing the wounded inside the camp during the assault. Photos also showed Israeli bulldozers and other military vehicles deliberately blocking roads and delaying the entrance of emergency medical teams. At the time of writing, the incursion is still ongoing.

The death toll of Palestinians in the West Bank in 2023 has now reached 153, according to the Palestinian Ministry of Health. This year has now already surpassed 2022 as the deadliest year for Palestinians in the West Bank since the UN began recording in 2005.

_{Israeli bulldozers and military vehicles delay ambulances in Jenin refugee camp. (Credit: PRCS).}

The PRCS’ Ahmed Jibril told Medical Aid for Palestinians (MAP) that ambulances came under direct fire while trying to respond to the emergency. Israeli bulldozers also destroyed main roads, causing delays and obstruction to ambulances trying to access the camp.

Aseel Baidoun, MAP’s Advocacy and Campaigns Manager in the West Bank said: “Israeli forces killing Palestinians, invading towns and cities, and violating healthcare is becoming a daily routine in the West Bank. This reminds me of the Second Intifada, if not even worse.”

“In complete disregard for international humanitarian law, soldiers regularly obstruct ambulances and health workers when they are trying to reach injured Palestinians, severely impacting wounded people’s chances of survival. Israeli forces face no accountability for these violations and the international community’s silence is enabling impunity.”

Israeli military airstrikes resulted in damage to the Freedom Theatre, a community-based theatre inside Jenin refugee camp, according to local news reports. A child was also injured from shrapnel during the attack. MAP partners with the Palestinian Circus School in the West Bank, who support the Theatre to provide social circus activities for children and young people to advance their confidence, rights and participation in their communities. 

In a separate incident, Israeli forces shot and killed a 21-year-old Palestinian man at the Beit El checkpoint near Ramallah, while protesting the invasion on Jenin refugee camp.

Jenin has been at the centre of Israel’s military violence this year. Last month, the Israeli military killed seven Palestinians, including two children, and injured more than 90 others during an incursion. During a raid in January, nine Palestinians were killed and 20 others injured.

The Israeli military have claimed that their operation in Jenin is a ‘counter-terrorism operation’ targeting Palestinian militant groups.

“Israeli forces face no accountability for these violations and the international community’s silence is enabling impunity.” – ASEEL BAIDOUN.

Palestinian health workers and facilities have come under repeated attack since the beginning of the year. In the first five months of 2023, the PRCS reported 149 violations against its medical teams, a 255% increase compared to the same period in 2022. PRCS emergency responders are now being issued with bulletproof vests and helmets following incidents of targeting with live ammunition and other weapons.

MAP is campaigning for urgent action from the UK Government to protect Palestinian civilians and healthcare personnel. If you are in the UK, please take action and email your MP today.

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MAP is also following the situation on the ground closely and is in contact with the Ministry of Health to determine the health needs. Since the beginning of the year, we have been responding to escalating Israeli military and settler violence in the West Bank by:

• Providing essential medicines and supplies to the emergency rooms of Makassed and Rafidia Hospitals, and urgent care centres in Nil’in, Silwad, Beita and Bidya.
• Supplying first aid kits to first responders and volunteers.
• Delivering trauma care training to medical staff and paramedics in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem.
• Providing ongoing essential primary healthcare services to communities threatened by demolitions and settler violence in Area C of the West Bank through mobile clinics.

Please support our ongoing emergency response here.

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_{Photo: The PRCS responds to attacks on Palestinians in Jenin refugee camp, 3 July 2023. (Credit: Ayman Nobani).}