Rabat – Israel’s military operations in the Jenin refugee camp located in the northern occupied West Bank have sparked strong condemnation from several countries and international organisations.
The Arab League, Egypt, Jordan, Iran, and the United Nations have expressed their concerns and disapproval at Israel’s actions.
Secretary-General of the Arab League Ahmed Aboul Gheit denounced the “brutal military operation” in Jenin through a tweet.
Aboul Gheit described the bombings and destruction they left behind as collective punishment and revenge, warning that these actions could lead to further escalations. He also called on advocates of peace worldwide to intervene and halt the ongoing “criminal operation.”
The Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs strongly condemned the Israeli attack on Jenin, labelling it as an excessive and indiscriminate use of force, and calling for the intervention of international bodies to put an end to the violations.
The ministry reiterated its rejection of the repeated Israeli attacks on Palestinian cities, which have resulted in innocent civilian casualties and violated international laws.
Iran also condemned the assault on Jenin, with spokesperson Nasser Kannani denouncing it as a reckless crime and an act of state terrorism.
Kanaani emphasized that Israel would ultimately be “defeated,” asserting that normalisation of ties would neither halt nor deter it from committing more violations.
Israeli Foreign Minister Eli Cohen clarified that there were no plans to expand the operation beyond Jenin, claiming that the focus was solely on “terrorists” and their cells in the area.
Spokesperson for Jordan’s Foreign Minister Sinan al-Majali also strongly condemned the Israeli offensive, highlighting that it violated international humanitarian law and Israel’s international obligations.
Al-Majali called for immediate action from the international community to stop the assault and ensure the protection of Palestinians in all occupied territories.
Oman was another country that criticized the recurrent Israeli attacks, expressing strong support for the rights of the Palestinian people.
Oman reiterated its backing for the establishment of an independent Palestinian state based on the 1967 borders, the two-state solution, relevant Security Council resolutions, and the Arab peace initiative.
The United Nations’ resident humanitarian coordinator in Palestine Lynn Hastings expressed alarm and called for access to the injured in a tweet. Hastings highlighted the urgency of the situation and the need for immediate action.
Turkey also joined in the chorus, urging Israeli authorities to exercise common sense and put an end to their actions.
Ankara expressed “deep concern” about the potential escalation of violence and extended condolences to the Palestinian people.
The UAE called for an immediate cessation to the repeated and escalated campaign against the Palestinian people, with the country’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs emphasizing the importance of concentrated international efforts to achieve a ceasefire and revive the peace process in the Middle East.
Israel launched a military offensive on the Jenin camp earlier this week, lasting 48 hours and taking the lives of at least 12 Palestinians.
Although Israeli authorities have insisted that they were only targeting “terrorist” cells, aid groups have reported that they have had to help civilians of all age groups who were harmed in the attack.
