Just days after a fragile ceasefire brought a temporary halt to the devastating conflict in Gaza, Israel has launched a deadly raid in Jenin, a city in the northern West Bank. Jenin has long been a symbol of Palestinian resistance and has repeatedly borne the brunt of Israeli military aggression. Reports from the ground indicate 16 killed and over 40 injured. The situation is rapidly deteriorating into a full-blown humanitarian crisis.
This new military offensive, given the name Iron Wall marks a swift shift in focus, from the Gaza Strip to the West Bank, highlighting the Israeli government’s determination to assert its control across all occupied territories. The operation combines IDF troops, Israel Security Agency officers and Border Police.
“After Gaza and Lebanon, today, with God’s help, we began a shift in our security policy in Judea and Samaria and a campaign to eliminate terrorism in the region,” Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich wrote on X
The ceasefire in Gaza, while welcomed, provided only a fleeting break from the violence. Instead of de-escalation, the Israeli military has chosen to escalate tensions in the West Bank, raising serious questions about Israel’s commitment to de-escalation and its respect for international law.
This move has been met with widespread condemnation from the international community, with many fearing a further deterioration of the humanitarian situation and a renewed cycle of violence.
The offensive combines on the ground troops, Apache helicopters and a heavy deployment of Israeli military vehicles throughout the area. The aerial assault escalated as warplanes unleashed heavy artillery across the city.
Residents describe traumatic scenes with bodies on the street and no ambulances able to reach them. Ambulances attempting to reach the injured have come under direct gunfire, and their access to various neighborhoods is deliberately hindered by Israeli military vehicles strategically placed at essential entrances. More than 600 people have taken refuge in a hospital unable to go anywhere else.
The recurring pattern of Israeli aggression in Jenin underscores the Israeli government’s persistent efforts to suppress Palestinian voices.This new assault on Jenin has once again brought to the forefront the harsh realities of life under Israeli occupation. 75 per cent of Jenin’s 13,400 residents have been displaced, deepening an already dire humanitarian crisis. Since October 7th, Israeli forces have killed 554 Palestinians in the West Bank.
Palestinians living under occupation are denied fundamental human rights, including the right to self-determination and freedom of movement. They face discrimination in all aspects of life, from access to education and healthcare to economic opportunities.
While Canada already has acknowledged the importance of Palestinian self-determination, its actions often fall short of these stated principles. Canada must enforce an arms embargo and demand an end to the systematic persecution of palestinians. It has a moral and political obligation to uphold its commitment to human rights and international law. Canada has a legal obligation under the Genocide Convention to investigate and prosecute those responsible for the genocide in Gaza and those complicit in it.
The situation in Jenin is a stark reminder of the enduring injustice faced by Palestinians under Israeli occupation. It underscores the urgent need for a comprehensive solution that addresses the root causes of the conflict.
The massacres that happened in Gaza cannot happen in Jenin, and Canada cannot stand complicit.
