Palestinian death toll climbs to 12 as one Israeli soldier is killed

Good morning MEE readers,

It’s been another night of conflict in the occupied West Bank, Gaza and Israel.

Last night, Israel's two-day assault on the Jenin refugee camp ended, according to the Israeli army, with troops withdrawing and leaving a trail of devastation.

As Israeli troops left just after midnight, returning residents described finding chaos, with roads torn up and buildings reduced to rubble.

At least 12 Palestinians were killed and more than 100 were wounded. Almost a third of the refugee camp, around 4,000 Palestinians, fled their homes, according to the Palestinian Red Crescent.

As Israel withdrew its forces last night one Israeli soldier was killed.

Around 1,000 Israel soldiers were used in the operation, which saw attack helicopters being used alongside drones, fighter jets and heavy weapons, resulting in numerous properties being damaged or destroyed. 

Hours after Israeli forces began withdrawing from Jenin, five rockets were fired from Gaza towards Israel including the city of Sderot. No injuries were reported.

Israel’s attack on Jenin was one of Israel’s largest assaults in the West Bank in almost 20 years.

The Israeli army carried out at least 20 drone strikes in the refugee camp.