UPDATE – Jordan, Egypt condemn Israeli military operation in Jenin

UPDATES WITH EGYPT’S REACTION, REVISES HEADLINE

By Laith Al-Jnaidi

ISTANBUL (AA) - Jordan and Egypt on Monday condemned an Israeli military operation in the Palestinian city of Jenin in the occupied West Bank.

Six Palestinians were killed by Israeli army fire in the West Bank early Monday, including five in Jenin, according to the Health Ministry. Twenty-seven Palestinians were also injured.

In a statement, Jordanian Foreign Ministry spokesman Sinan Al-Majali strongly condemned the Israeli offensive, saying the escalation “constitutes a violation of international humanitarian law and obligations of the [Israeli] occupation.”

The spokesman called for an immediate and effective action by the international community to stop the Israeli assault and provide protection for Palestinians in all occupied territories.
For its part, Egypt reiterated its rejection of the repeated Israeli attacks and raids into Palestinian towns.

In a statement, the Foreign Ministry warned of serious repercussions of the ongoing Israeli escalation against Palestinians, “which leads to fueling tensions, exacerbating the suffering of the Palestinian people and undermining efforts exerted to ease tension in the occupied territories."

It called on international actors “to intervene to put an end to these violations and to provide protection for the Palestinian people, whose suffering is increasing day by day."

Tensions have been running high across the occupied West Bank in recent months amid repeated Israeli raids into Palestinian towns.

More than 180 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces since the start of this year, according to the Health Ministry. At least 25 Israelis have also been killed in separate attacks during the same period.

*Writing by Ahmed Asmar