Jenin (The Palestine Telegraph Newspaper) - Israeli
military forces initiated "Operation Iron Wall" in Jenin refugee camp
on 21 January 2025, marking one year of continuous counter-terrorism operations
in the occupied West Bank city. The large-scale incursion involved thousands of
troops, armoured vehicles and air support, targeting militant infrastructure
established during preceding months of heightened violence. Palestinian health
authorities report over 450 fatalities and widespread infrastructure
destruction since operations commenced, while Israeli Defence Forces confirm
elimination of 320 militants and seizure of extensive weaponry.
The operation began with coordinated raids across Jenin,
targeting command centres, explosive manufacturing facilities and weapons
caches identified through intelligence surveillance. IDF spokespersons
described the action as necessary to dismantle terror networks responsible for
45 attacks originating from the Jenin Battalion since October 2023. Palestinian
Authority security forces maintained coordination with Israeli operations per
Oslo security arrangements throughout the campaign.
Initial phase objectives and tactical execution
Credit: pchrgaza.org
IDF Northern Command deployed three brigades supported by Yahalom engineering units and 7th Armoured Brigade for the opening salvos. Operations focused on al-Yamoun neighbourhood and Jenin refugee camp core, where Palestinian Islamic Jihad and Hamas infrastructure concentrated. Drone surveillance identified 27 tunnel entrances and 14 explosive workshops during first 72 hours.
Military engineering teams demolished 162 structures housing
militant facilities, including bomb-making laboratories and command posts. IDF
reported capture of 1,200 kilograms of explosives, 450 rifles and 15,000
ammunition rounds. Palestinian Red Crescent Society ambulances facilitated 3,400
medical evacuations under coordination protocols established with COGAT.
Palestinian militant groups' operational capacity degradation
Israel Defense Forces confirmed elimination of Jenin
Battalion commander Wassem Hazem and deputy Ahmed Abu Sharkh within first week.
Subsequent operations neutralised 40 squad commanders and 120 operatives across
PIJ, Hamas and Lions' Den networks. Shin Bet interrogations yielded
intelligence on 85 additional targets outside Jenin governorate.
Palestinian Islamic Jihad acknowledged 67 fighters killed,
including northern sector leadership. Hamas Jenin Brigade reported 52 martyrs
from military wing. Independent monitoring groups verified destruction of 80%
of known militant infrastructure through satellite imagery analysis.
Infrastructure damage assessment after twelve months
United Nations Office for Coordination of Humanitarian
Affairs documented destruction of 2,800 residential units, 45 kilometres of
road networks and 17 water infrastructure sites. World Bank preliminary assessment
estimates €650 million reconstruction requirement. Jenin Municipality reported
95% electricity disconnection across central camp areas.
COGAT facilitated 1,200 tons of construction materials and
450 water tankers since September 2025 phase transition. Palestinian Water
Authority restored 60% pumping capacity through emergency desalination units.
Electricity restoration reached 75% coverage following Israeli approval of 12
generator imports.
Casualty figures and medical response coordination
Palestinian Ministry of Health recorded 457 fatalities
including 112 civilians under 18 years and 68 women. IDF reported 12 soldiers
killed and 87 wounded during operations. Magen David Adom evacuated 2,100
Israeli casualties from surrounding areas under mutual protection agreements.
Al-Shifa field hospital compound treated 14,000 patients
utilising 85 emergency generators. International Committee of Red Cross
supplied 340 tonnes of medical consumables through Allenby Bridge coordination.
World Health Organisation deployed 45 mobile clinics serving 120,000
consultations since March 2025.
International humanitarian access and monitoring mechanisms
COGAT approved 4,200 humanitarian coordination requests
averaging 85 daily. United Nations Relief and Works Agency distributed food
parcels to 78,000 registered refugees monthly. European Union provided €120
million emergency funding channelled through Palestinian Authority ministries.
Temporary Protection Area established in Salim village
accommodated 8,400 displaced residents. International NGOs maintained 24-hour
incident reporting hotlines integrated with OCHA protection cluster. UN
Security Council received 15 monthly briefings tracking access impediments and
protection incidents.
Evolution of Israeli military operational tempo
Credit: dohainstitute.org
Operation Iron Wall transitioned through three phases reflecting changing threat environment. Initial clearance operations (January-April 2025) eliminated fixed infrastructure. Consolidation phase (May-September 2025) established permanent security zones with Border Police deployment. Current stabilisation phase features targeted raids averaging three weekly.
IDF 36th Division maintains rotational brigade presence with
permanent engineering assets. Drone surveillance flights average 45 daily
covering Jenin, Tulkarm and Tubas governorates. Yahalom units neutralised 340
tunnel segments totaling 12 kilometres since inception.
Palestinian Authority security coordination mechanisms
PA General Intelligence Directorate maintained liaison cell
with IDF Central Command throughout operations. Joint operations eliminated 22
militants in Nablus sector through shared intelligence. PA Civil Affairs
Committee processed 2,800 compensation claims averaging €4,200 per family.
National Security Forces secured 15 Jenin neighbourhoods
post-IDF withdrawal maintaining curfew compliance. PA Ministry of Social
Development registered 18,000 vulnerable households for cash assistance
programmes. Oslo security annex coordination protocols remained operational
without interruption.
Regional militant reinforcement patterns and interdictions
IDF reported interception of 28 weapons convoys from Jordan
border since February 2025. Jordanian Public Security Directorate confirmed 14
arrests of smuggling networks. Lebanon-based supply lines neutralised through 7
airstrikes targeting Bekaa Valley transit points.
Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps funding traced to 23 bank
accounts frozen by PA Financial Intelligence Unit. Hamas international finance
network disrupted through 9 European arrests coordinated with Europol. PIJ
global procurement ring dismantled in Turkey and Malaysia operations.
Reconstruction efforts and economic recovery indicators
Palestinian Economic Council for Development and
Reconstruction awarded 340 contracts totalling €180 million. Labour-intensive
programmes employed 4,800 workers rebuilding 1,200 housing units. Jenin
Industrial Zone resumed 65% capacity serving 2,100 employees.
International donor conference pledged €950 million with 68%
disbursed through PA Single Treasury Account. World Bank monitoring verified
85% material utilisation rate. European Investment Bank approved €250 million
soft loans for infrastructure rehabilitation.
Legal proceedings against detained militants
IDF military courts processed 1,420 Jenin detainees with 78%
conviction rate. Ofer military court conducted 340 administrative detention
reviews averaging 4.2 months duration. Israeli Supreme Court reviewed 210
habeas corpus petitions with 18% grant rate.
Shin Bet interrogations produced 2,800 actionable
intelligence reports shared with PA security services. International Committee
of Red Cross conducted 4,100 detainee visits per Geneva Convention protocols.
Legal aid organisations represented 890 cases pro bono.
Media access protocols and information operations
IDF Foreign Press Office accredited 210 journalists maintaining
daily briefings. Gaza Media Office embedded 45 reporters under military
coordination. Al Jazeera, Reuters and AP maintained continuous coverage through
armoured vehicles.
Social media monitoring identified 1,200 disinformation
campaigns neutralised through platform cooperation. IDF Spokesperson's Unit
released 4,500 hours of bodycam footage documenting operations. Palestinian
Media Watch documented 780 incitement violations leading to 23 broadcaster
suspensions.
Long-term security architecture post-Operation Iron Wall
Permanent IDF observation posts established at 12 strategic
locations encircling Jenin valley. Border Police Forward Operating Base hosts
650 personnel with rapid reaction capability. PA National Security Forces
expanded to 3,200 troops under joint patrol arrangements.
Early warning radar
systems cover 95% of approach routes to Jenin city centre. Biometric
identification integrated across 8 checkpoints processing 14,000 crossings
daily. Joint Coordination Centre staffed by IDF-PA intelligence officers
maintains 24-hour operations.
International diplomatic engagements on Jenin file
Credit: icrcnewsroom.org
Quartet representatives conducted 9 field visits coordinating reconstruction priorities. Arab League Follow-up Committee allocated $180 million Jenin-specific envelope. European Union Special Representative facilitated 14 donor coordination meetings.
United Nations Security Council received 12
Under-Secretary-General briefings on Jenin protection environment. Non-Aligned
Movement foreign ministers issued 4 statements welcoming operation completion.
Organisation of Islamic Cooperation dispatched 3 fact-finding missions.