“Terror Command Center”
Israel attacks mosque in refugee camp
October 22, 2023, 3:56 a.m
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The city of Jenin with its associated refugee camp in the West Bank is considered a hotspot for terrorist organizations. The Israeli Air Force attacks a mosque there. It is said to have been used as a command center for attacks.
Israel says it has killed “terrorists” from Hamas and Islamic Jihad in an airstrike on a mosque in the West Bank. The Al-Ansa Mosque in Jenin was used “by the terrorists as a command center for planning attacks and as a base for their implementation,” the Israeli military said. Those targeted had already “committed several terrorist attacks and prepared another terrorist attack” in recent months, it said.
Israel’s army said the “terrorists” had been neutralized – without providing any information about the number or identity of those killed. The Red Crescent in Jenin said one person was killed and three others were injured, the Palestinian news agency Wafa reported. There was previously talk of two deaths. According to the Red Crescent, fighter jets are said to have attacked the mosque.
The densely populated city of Jenin and the associated refugee camp with around 17,000 inhabitants have been considered a stronghold of militant Palestinians for years. In addition to Hamas, which rules in the Gaza Strip, the militant Palestinian organization Islamic Jihad and other groups have also gained massive influence there. They are largely financed by Iran.
Major operation last summer
In one of the largest military operations in the West Bank in 20 years, more than a thousand soldiers moved into the city of Jenin in the summer. On the Israeli side, one soldier died from Israeli fire; on the other side, at least twelve Palestinians were killed and more than 100 injured.
The army justified the operation at the time by saying it wanted to destroy terrorist infrastructure. After almost two days, Israeli troops began to withdraw and 30 terror suspects were arrested.