Jerusalem: In response to rocket fire from the Palestinian coastal enclave, Israel launched airstrikes on the Gaza Strip on Wednesday, the army reported. According to the army, "the IDF (Israel Defence Force) is striking in the Gaza Strip in retaliation to the rockets launched earlier tonight (Wednesday)," which a Palestinian security source claimed hit a Hamas military site in northern Gaza but left no casualties.
As one of Israel's largest military operations in the West Bank in recent years continued for a second day on Tuesday, thousands of residents of the Jenin refugee camp were forcibly evacuated.
In the early hours of Monday, the operation was started with a drone strike and the deployment of more than 1,000 troops. 11 people, at least, have died.
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A young Palestinian from Jenin was killed by soldiers, according to a statement from the Palestinian Ministry of Health on Tuesday night.
One of the focal points of a wave of violence that has swept the West Bank for more than a year, the densely populated refugee camp, where nearly 14,000 people reside in less than half a square kilometre, has caused growing international alarm.
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A general strike was called in the West Bank and East Jerusalem to protest Israeli aggression and to pay respects to the deceased.
Nearly 100 Palestinians have suffered injuries, 20 of whom are reportedly in critical condition.
Despite calls for a day of widespread mobilisation and anger, universities, banks, factories, labs, and shops remained closed.
The destruction of the camp in 2002 and the forced evacuation of hundreds of refugee families on video have shocked Palestinians, who claim it serves as a reminder of the Palestinian Nakba.
The Israeli army repeatedly threatened to bomb homes, forcing a large number of people—including the Abu Sariya family—to flee.
18-month-old Habiba was being carried by her mother as she walked outside the camp along with her son Ali and an elderly relative when they heard heavy gunfire from the army. The ensuing brawl caused the family to be split up.
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The child's aunt, who wished to remain unnamed, said: "As the family was walking, shots started flying in the area, which frightened them. A boy and a girl from the family were split up from their mother and grandmother.
"Without the family's knowledge, one bystander took the two kids to a relative's home in the eastern neighbourhood. They were sought after, and social media was used to make requests. Two and a half hours later, the family was reunited.
A member of the Abu Jawhar family claimed that when the army operation started, their home in the western neighbourhood, where 50 people resided, was taken.
"Despite the fact that two of the family members were disabled, the Israeli army detained us in one of the rooms, took our cellphones, and denied us food and water for the duration of this time. Only after two of the family members were taken into custody were we allowed to leave," he said.