(Scypre.com) – In a recent covert operation in the West Bank, Israeli Defense Forces (IDF), in collaboration with the Israel Security Agency and Israel Police, conducted a highly strategic counterterrorism raid at Ibn Sina Hospital in Jenin. The operation was aimed at thwarting an impending terror attack planned by a Hamas-affiliated cell.
The IDF operatives, adopting elaborate disguises as female civilians and medical personnel, infiltrated the hospital to target the Hamas cell. Their approach was meticulously planned, involving the use of traditional Muslim headscarves and medical uniforms to blend into the hospital environment seamlessly.
The operation’s intensity was captured on the hospital’s CCTV footage, showcasing the armed personnel navigating the corridors with heightened alertness, some even carrying rifles alongside medical equipment like wheelchairs.
At the heart of this operation was the elimination of Mohammed Jalamneh, aged 27, identified by the IDF as the primary suspect in orchestrating the imminent attack. Jalamneh, reportedly using the hospital as a hideout, was known for his extensive involvement in terror activities. He had been residing in the Jenin refugee camp for a considerable duration, establishing significant connections with Hamas leadership overseas. His previous attempts to initiate a car bombing attack had resulted in injuries. Additionally, Jalamneh was instrumental in facilitating the transfer of arms and ammunition to other terrorists, further aiding in the planning and execution of shooting assaults and raids.
Alongside Jalamneh, two other terrorists, Mohammed Ghazawi and Basel Ghazawi, were also neutralized during the raid. The Ghazawi brothers, also residents of the Jenin Camp, were deeply entrenched in terror activities. Mohammed Ghazawi, specifically, was a key operative in the Jenin Battalion, linked to a series of attacks, including recent assaults against IDF soldiers.
The Jenin Battalion, an extension of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad, is recognized by the U.S. State Department as a terrorist organization. This group, along with others like Hamas, has been involved in various acts of violence and terror.
The circumstances surrounding the deaths of the three terrorists in the hospital have been a subject of contention. The Palestinian Health Ministry alleged that the IDF forces opened fire within the hospital wards, condemning the action and urging international intervention to prevent similar operations in medical facilities. Contrarily, Tawfiq al-Shobaki, a hospital spokesperson, claimed the deaths were a result of targeted killings by the Israeli forces, with no exchange of fire. He accused the Israeli team of assaulting hospital staff during the operation.
These events have sparked significant debate and criticism, particularly regarding Israel’s tactics in handling terror threats. Critics have pointed to past instances where Israeli forces have conducted raids in hospitals, especially in Gaza. These hospitals, often serving as refuges for displaced individuals and critical medical centers for the injured, have been claimed by Israel to be strategic locations used by terrorists for hiding and launching operations. The IDF has reported discovering underground tunnels, weapons, and vehicles linked to terror activities in proximity to these hospitals.
The IDF has maintained its stance, emphasizing the necessity of such operations to neutralize threats against Israeli civilians. According to an IDF statement, terrorists have long exploited hospitals for planning and executing terror attacks, assuming that the sanctity of these medical facilities would shield them from counterterrorism measures. The IDF categorizes such tactics as a cynical exploitation of civilian spaces, underscoring the moral and ethical dilemmas faced in combating terrorism.