Israeli helicopters struck targets in the Jenin area on Monday morning after a deadly gun battle erupted during an Israeli counter-terror raid in the city.
The strikes came after three Palestinian gunmen were killed and at least five Israeli soldiers wounded during clashes erupted during an Israeli counter-terror operation in the city.
“Combat helicopters fired in the area of ​​​​the city of Jenin after identifying armed men,” the IDF said in a statement.
Israeli troops entered the city on Monday morning to arrest two wanted terrorists. During the raid, the Israeli forces came under “massive” Palestinian fire, according to the IDF. Three Palestinian gunmen were killed in the ensuing battle, according to the Palestinian Health Ministry.
The IDF did not confirm the casualties, saying only that “hits were identified.”
The gunmen were identified by Palestinian sources as Khaled Azaaza, 21; Ahmed Zakar, 15; and Kassam Abu Saria, 29.
Then, as Israeli forces withdrew from the city with the wanted individuals, a roadside bomb detonated next to one of the troops’ armored vehicles, wounding five, according to the IDF.
The wounded troops were reportedly airlifted to Rambam Hospital in Haifa.
The airstrikes, footage of which was circulating on social media, were intended as support for the rescue of the armored vehicles hit by the roadside bomb, according to Israeli media reports.
It was the first Israeli airstrike in Judea and Samaria since the Second Intifada in the early 2000s, Kan News reported.
Fighting was ongoing in the area as of Monday morning, according to the IDF.
This is a developing story.
Produced in association with Jewish News Syndicate
Edited by Arnab Nandy
