Israeli forces, backed by helicopters and armoured bulldozers, began the assault on the city on Jan 21, two days after a ceasefire in Gaza between Israel and the militant group Hamas took effect.
Israel regards the West Bank as one part of a multi-front war against Iranian-backed groups established around its borders, from Gaza to Lebanon and including the Houthis in Yemen, and it turned its attention to the area immediately after the halt to fighting in Gaza.
The United Nations’ agency for Palestinian refugees has said that almost all of the Jenin camp’s 20 000 residents have been displaced over the past two months.
Hamas on Sunday called for an “escalation in the resistance” against Israel following the demolition of buildings in Jenin.
The Palestinian Authority, a Hamas rival, exercises limited governance over the West Bank where around 3 million Palestinians live and over which Israel maintains overall military control.
Israeli forces have engaged in gun battles with local militants since the operation began. Defense Minister Israel Katz on Wednesday said security forces would stay until the operation is complete, without saying when that would be.
At least 25 Palestinians have been killed since the Israeli military operation began in Jenin, including nine members of armed groups, a 73 year old man and a two year old girl, according to Palestinian officials. The Israeli military says it has killed at least 35 militants and detained over 100 wanted individuals.
The Palestinian state news agency also said that a 27 year old man had been killed on Sunday by Israeli forces raiding a refugee camp near Hebron.
