PT: Military raid and subsequent clashes kill four Palestinians and wound 44 others in Jenin Sept. 28

Event

Heightened tensions are likely in the Jenin area and elsewhere in the West Bank over the coming days after an Israeli military raid killed four Palestinians, with subsequent clashes wounding dozens of others in the town and the nearby Jenin refugee camp early Sept. 28. Israeli forces reportedly carried out the raid to arrest two Palestinians accused of being involved in recent shooting attacks targeting Israelis; after soldiers surrounded the house of one of the wanted Palestinians, a bomb exploded and a gunfight ensued in which troops killed both suspects. Two more gunmen were killed and at least 44 other persons were wounded in armed clashes that erupted between Palestinians and Israeli forces following the initial raid. Palestinian political organization Fatah has notably called for a general strike and associated protests in the West Bank in response to the incident.

Israeli forces will probably launch further security raids in the West Bank over the medium term. Additional clashes between Israeli forces and Palestinians are possible in Jenin and other major Palestinian cities, including Ramallah and Nablus.

Context

Israeli forces have conducted a series of security operations codenamed "Operation Breakwater" in the West Bank following a spike in Palestinian assaults that killed 19 people between March and early May. The Israeli raids have killed more than 70 Palestinian militants and civilians - the most killed in the West Bank since 2015.

The armed clashes also come amid a heightened security posture in Israel during the High Holidays period, generally extending from Rosh Hashanah (Sept. 25-27) through Yom Kippur (Oct. 4-5).

Advice

Exercise caution if operating in the West Bank, especially in Jenin. Avoid all demonstrations and areas where security personnel appear to be concentrating. If violence breaks out, immediately depart the area and seek shelter in a secure, nongovernmental building. Refrain from loitering near security checkpoints and main entrances to hotels, restaurants, and government buildings. Do not attempt to bypass security checkpoints without authorities' permission. Adhere to all instructions issued by local officials and your home government.