AhlulBayt News Agency (ABNA): Nasser Kanaani, the spokesman for Iran's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, stated on social media regarding the recent withdrawal of Israeli forces from the West Bank cities of Jenin and Tulkarm.
"This withdrawal follows a ten-day military operation that resulted in significant destruction and loss of life," Kanaani wrote.
According to reports, Israeli forces have pulled back from Jenin and Tulkarm after ten days of aggression against the Jenin refugee camp and four days of assaults on Tulkarm. The Israeli military's actions have reportedly resulted in the deaths of at least 36 Palestinians and left dozens more injured.
Kanaani highlighted the extensive damage inflicted on the urban and service infrastructure in the Gaza Strip and northern West Bank, particularly in Jenin and Tulkarm.
He characterized the Israeli regime's tactics as a "scorched earth" strategy, reflecting a broader disappointment in their ability to achieve victory over Palestinian resistance.
"The footage of insane destruction of all the urban and services infrastructure of the #Gaza Strip and now those of some northern parts of the West Bank in particular in Jenin and Tulkarm indicates that the Israeli regime is disappointed by victory over resistance and the Palestinian nation and is pursuing the strategy of “scorched earth," Kanaani stated.
He emphasized that countries and international institutions have a moral, humanitarian, and legal obligation to prevent further war crimes by the Israeli regime in the West Bank.
The Israeli military's recent operations in the West Bank are part of a larger pattern of violence that has escalated since the outbreak of conflict with Hamas in Gaza nearly 11 months ago. Following a surprise attack by Hamas on October 7, 2023, Israel intensified its military actions, resulting in widespread casualties and destruction.
The recent offensive in Jenin and Tulkarm has been described as one of the deadliest in years, with reports indicating that Israeli forces employed heavy artillery, airstrikes, and ground troops to target what they described as militant strongholds. The United Nations has condemned these actions, labeling them as "lethal war-like tactics" that disproportionately affect civilians.
Residents have expressed fears that despite the withdrawal, Israeli forces may return to launch further attacks, as has occurred in the past. The destruction of infrastructure, including roads, water supply, and electricity, has left many families without necessities, compounding the humanitarian crisis in the region.
The Iranian government has been vocal in its condemnation of Israeli actions, calling for international accountability and intervention to protect Palestinian civilians. Kanaani's statement reflects a broader sentiment among Iranian officials, who view the situation in the West Bank as part of a larger struggle against perceived aggression from Israel and its allies.
As tensions continue to rise in the region, the international community faces increasing pressure to address the ongoing violence and seek a resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The humanitarian situation remains dire, with calls for urgent assistance to those affected by the recent military operations in the West Bank and Gaza Strip.
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