Israeli forces’ operation in Jenin | Flash Update #1 as of 16:30, 3 July 2023

KEY POINTS

• During the early hours of 3 July 2023, Israeli forces launched a large-scale air and ground operation in Jenin Refugee Camp and its surroundings. This is the second operation in Jenin involving air strikes within two weeks and since 2006.
• Israeli forces carried out more than ten air strikes, most likely with drones, on several targets inside the refugee camp, followed by large numbers of Israeli ground forces entering the area, reportedly raiding several houses and positioning themselves on rooftops. During the operation, Israeli forces and armed Palestinians exchanged fire.
• As of 16:30 on 3 July, the Palestinian Ministry of Health (MoH) confirmed the death of eight Palestinians, including two children, in the Jenin Refugee Camp. Additionally, one Palestinian man was fatally shot by Israeli forces in Ramallah, bringing the total death toll to nine. Furthermore, at least 50 others have been injured, of whom at least eleven are reportedly in critical condition.
• As of 16:30 on 3 July, access to the refugee camp is mostly only possible from one entrance where Israeli forces conduct checks on vehicles, including ambulances. An Israeli military bulldozer has demolished most of the roads leading to the refugee camp, severely impeding access for ambulances to casualties inside the camp. 
• The Israeli forces airstrikes caused significant damage to inhabited structures in the Jenin camp and in the surrounding neighborhoods. According to initial reports, Israeli airstrikes have hit houses and parts of apartment buildings. Some residents have reported receiving warning calls from Israeli forces prior to the airstrikes. As a result, at least 12 families have been forced to leave their homes. 
• Due to damage to infrastructure, most of the refugee camp residents are currently without drinking water and electricity.
• The Humanitarian Coordinator has expressed alarm at the scale of the operation in Jenin, noting that airstrikes were used in the densely populated refugee camp and that several people had been killed or wounded. She stressed the need to ensure access to all those injured.

SITUATION OVERVIEW

On 3 July at about 1:00 am, Israeli forces conducted a series of airstrikes in and around the Jenin Refugee Camp. The airstrikes hit multiple locations within the camp, including a residential structure in the central area. As a result, three Palestinians were killed, and others were injured. 

On 3 July at about 3:00 am, Israeli forces fatally shot a Palestinian man in the head with live ammunition near the Beit El DCO checkpoint in the northern entrance of Al Bireh (Ramallah). The man was shot as Palestinians protested the Israeli operation in Jenin, with some throwing stones and Israeli forces firing live ammunition. 

On 3 July at about 8:00 am, Israeli forces bulldozed roads leading to Jenin Refugee Camp. Consequently, ambulances were unable to access the camp except from one entrance, which is controlled and monitored by Israeli forces inspecting `vehicles, including ambulances. 

On 3 July about 10:00 am, the Israeli military stated that Israeli forces had discovered and destroyed a laboratory used to manufacture explosives. Additionally, they reportedly confiscated a rocket launcher along with other weapons.

On 3 July at about 10:40 am, Israeli forces prevented ambulances from entering and exiting Jenin Refugee Camp – a problem that has been reported by medical sources throughout the day. Paramedics entered the camp by foot to provide first aid to casualties. Exchanges of fire continued between Palestinians and Israeli forces while the latter also conducted air strikes hitting structures. Five Palestinians including two children were shot and killed with live ammunition fired by Israeli forces.  

On 3 July at about 12:50 pm, according to reports from medical sources, several teargas canisters fired by Israeli forces landed inside the courtyards of the Jenin Governmental hospital.

HUMANITARIAN OVERVIEW

• UNRWA facilities remained closed in the refugee camp throughout 3 July. 
• The Israeli forces’ operation has resulted in several casualties and destruction of property. According to initial estimates by the Ministry of Health, as of 15:30 on 3 July, eight Palestinians have been killed, including two children, and 50 Palestinians have been injured. Reportedly over half of these injuries were a result of shrapnel caused by the Israeli airstrikes and at least 11 are in critical condition.
• Several inhabited structures in Jenin Refugee Camp and surrounding areas have been significantly damaged in airstrikes, most likely carried out with drones. At least 12 families, comprising 105 people, have been forced to leave their homes, due to the imminent risk of their house being shelled or seized by Israeli forces. 
• Health structures in Jenin have been reportedly damaged and teargas canisters and sound grenades have landed in the courtyard of the Khalil Sleiman hospital where injured Palestinians were being treated.
• Medical cases are being managed at the three main hospitals in Jenin: Khalil Sleiman Hospital, where a Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) team is also located, Ibn Sina Hospital, and Al Razi Hospital.  Health Cluster partners are reviewing an initial list of urgent supplies shared by the MoH to support the Jenin Hospital. WHO pre-positioned supplies in Jenin have been released and are being utilized. 
• The main water pipeline of the camp was severely damaged and water supply to residents is currently unavailable. Additionally, three main electricity transformers were damaged, and an initial estimation indicates that most of the camp is without electricity. The municipality is not able to access the affected areas to make the required maintenance for the damaged infrastructure.
• Shops in the city of Jenin and in Jenin Refugee Camp are closed, including the three shops in Jenin City that provide e-voucher food assistance. The World Food Programme is contacting bakeries to assess and monitor their operational capacity and is preparing for potential emergency response in case the conflict extends for a longer duration.
• Protection Cluster members and the human rights monitoring team of the United Nations Human Rights Office (OHCHR) are conducting initial monitoring and documentation of violations of international law. 
• Technical partners specialized in mental health and psycho-social support (MHPSS) will assess any needs related to possible psychological harm, particularly of children.