Thousands of Palestinians flee amid Israeli military operation in Jenin

By Anadolu staff

JERUSALEM (AA) - Between 1,500 and 3,000 Palestinians have left their homes in the Jenin refugee camp amid an ongoing Israeli military operation in the city, according to the Israeli army on Tuesday.

On Monday, the Israeli army launched its largest military operation in Jenin in more than 20 years, killing at least 10 Palestinians and injuring more than 100 others, according to the Palestinian Health Ministry.

Military spokesman Daniel Hagari claimed Palestinians were allowed to leave their homes in Jenin without being forced to do so.

"Anyone who wants to leave the refugee camp is allowed," Hagari said in statements cited by public broadcaster KAN.

He said 120 Palestinians were detained in the Jenin refugee camp during the operation.

The Israeli army estimates that there are around 350 Palestinian gunmen in the camp.

The Israeli military operation in Jenin came amid rising tensions across the occupied West Bank in recent months and repeated Israeli raids into Palestinian towns.

Nearly 190 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 in Ankara