IDF Conducts Raid at House of Al-Aqsa Brigades Commander in Jenin

Latest Developments

Israeli forces conducted a counterterrorism operation at the house of al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades commander Muhammad Abu al-Baha on September 19 in the West Bank city of Jenin. Soldiers of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) surrounded al-Baha’s house and clashed with members of Islamic Jihad, Hamas, and the al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades.

The IDF said in a statement that an improvised explosive device (IED) exploded under an IDF vehicle while Israeli forces were leaving the raid site. Palestinian gunmen fired at Israeli troops as they tried to rescue the stricken vehicle. The IDF reported no injuries among its soldiers while Palestinian Authority (PA) health officials claimed that three Palestinians were killed and at least 30 others wounded. A local branch of Islamic Jihad claimed credit for the IED attack. The IDF also reported an arrest of a wanted suspect in a parallel operation near the city of Tulkarm.

Expert Analysis

“Despite Israel’s, and recently the Palestinian Authority’s, efforts to crack down on West Bank terrorist groups, Islamic Jihad, Hamas, and other organizations backed by Iran persist in using Jenin as a hub to plan attacks against Israeli targets.” — Mark Dubowitz, FDD CEO

“In July, the Israeli military launched an operation aimed at destroying the terrorist infrastructure in Jenin; however, these terrorist organizations are recouping their losses and continue to strengthen their position, including in West Bank cities such as Nablus, Tulkarm, Tubas, and Jericho.” — Joe Truzman, Research Analyst at FDD’s Long War Journal

Operation in July

The IDF has conducted numerous operations in Jenin in recent months as the town’s refugee camp has become a haven for Iran-backed terrorist groups and a no-go zone for PA security forces. The PA’s perceived legitimacy among Palestinian citizens has weakened significantly in recent years, as it arbitrarily imprisons political opponents, mismanages finances, and lets corruption go unchecked. The IDF has been conducting near-nightly arrests of Palestinian terrorists in the West Bank.

Israeli forces conducted a 48-hour counterterrorism operation in Jenin beginning on July 3, seizing weapons and explosives and destroying a headquarters used by Islamic Jihad. The IDF used 2,000 troops during the raid, employing bulldozers, aircraft, and drones. The operation involved limited fatalities on both sides, including 12 Palestinians killed — all identified by the IDF as militants — along with one Israeli soldier.

Related Analysis

“Post Jenin Operation, Questions Linger About the State of the West Bank,” by Joe Truzman

“The meaning of Abbas’s Jenin visit,” by Enia Krivine

“IDF Dismantles Terror Infrastructure in 48-Hour Operation in Jenin,” by Enia Krivine and Joe Truzman