Katz said the IDF plans to remain in Jenin to prevent terrorism

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) will remain in Jenin in the West Bank after the end of the "counterterrorism operation." Israeli Defense Minister Yisrael Katz said on January 29.

"After the operation ends, the IDF will remain in the city to ensure that terrorism does not return," he was quoted as saying by Ynet.

The Israeli army launched a "counter-terrorism operation" in the Jenin area on January 21. At the same time, the Palestinian Ministry of Health reported that at least six people were killed in the attack and 35 others were injured.

Earlier, on January 27, the IDF Spokesperson's Office reported the launch of a counter-terrorism operation in the West Bank town of Tulkarm. At the same time, they said that an air strike eliminated one of the commanders of the Palestinian radical movement Hamas Ihab Abu Ativi.

On the morning of January 19, the ceasefire in the Gaza Strip came into effect. On the same day, the Palestinian Hamas movement handed over three Israeli hostages - Romy Gonen, Emily Damari and Doron Steinbrecher - to representatives of the International Committee of the Red Cross. The next day, Israel released the first 90 Palestinian prisoners as part of the deal.

The situation in the Middle East escalated on the morning of October 7, 2023, when the Palestinian radical movement Hamas launched a massive rocket attack from the Gaza Strip into Israel. On the same day, Israel began retaliatory strikes.