Palestinian Authority spokesman Nabil Abu Rudeineh vowed perseverance Monday following an IDF raid in the West Bank city of Jenin to confiscate arms.
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"Our Palestinian people will not kneel, will not surrender, will not raise the white flag, and will remain steadfast on their land in the face of this brutal aggression," Abu Rudeineh said.
Israeli drones struck terror targets in Jenin – a known Islamic stronghold – and hundreds of troops were deployed in the area in a campaign that resembled the wide-scale operations during the Second Intifada (2000-2005). It followed growing domestic calls for a tougher response to a series of attacks on Israelis.
Lt. Col. Richard Hecht, an army spokesman, said the operation began just after 1 a.m. with an airstrike on a building used by terrorists for planning attacks. He said the goal of the operation was to destroy and confiscate weapons.
"We're not planning to hold ground," he said. "We're acting against specific targets."
He said that a brigade-size force – roughly 2,000 soldiers – was taking part in the operation and that military drones had carried out a series of strikes to clear the way for the ground forces. Although Israel has carried out isolated airstrikes in the West Bank in recent weeks, Hecht said Monday's series of strikes marked an escalation unseen since the Second Intifada.
National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir lauded the operation, saying, "Proud of our heroes on all fronts and this morning especially of our soldiers operating in Jenin. Praying for their success."
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