Israel said it was in Jenin to thwart a massive terrorist attack. Palestinians say they downed IDF drone.
As many as 13 Palestinians in the Jenin refugee camp on Thursday were killed in an extended battle with the IDF which was trying to thwart planned terror attacks as well as to capture at least three known Islamic Jihad terrorists.
The operation was a joint one involving the Shin Bet (Israel Security Agency), the IDF and the police.
The IDF said that when it approached the residence where the three terrorists were known to be hiding out, two of them started running out of the residence while armed and were killed by IDF forces.
A third wanted terrorist willingly surrendered himself to be arrested, while a fourth armed Palestinian there attempted to engage Israeli security forces and was also killed.
IDF anti-explosive experts entered the residence and safely exploded two bombs that the terrorists had in their possession.
Palestinian stone-throwers gather amid clashes with Israeli troops during a raid in Jenin in the West Bank January 26, 2023 (credit: REUTERS/RANEEN SAWAFTA)The IDF said that the three wanted terrorists had already participated in multiple attacks and were planning even more substantial attacks.
In addition to the IDF statement, social media reports put the number of killed Palestinians as high as 13 with reports that a surface to surface missile was used to destroy a whole group of around five terrorists who had pinned down part of the IDF unit.
There were also reports and video footage indicating that the IDF had tried to sneak into Jenin under the cover of using a refrigerator supply truck, but that some of the Palestinians found the truck suspicious and opened fire on it, blowing the cover.
IDF sources also said they were looking into reports that at least one elderly Palestinian female civilian had been accidentally killed during the extended firefight.
Palestinians strike down Israeli drone
There was also a video being shared on Arab social media channels showing that Palestinians shot down an IDF drone.
The incident occurred during the broader altercation.
The video of the drone being shot down shows it hovering above the refugee camp at around a height of 70-100 feet.
Several failed attempts to shoot it down can be heard in the background until after an additional shot, the drone suddenly falls straight down out of the sky and crashes into the ground.
No IDF personnel were harmed.
Content retrieved from: https://www.jpost.com/arab-israeli-conflict/article-729685.