JENIN: A European envoy condemned Israel on Saturday for the force used during its recent raid, as international envoys visited the Jenin refugee camp in the occupied West Bank.
The envoy’s remarks echoed those of UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, who had previously stated that Israeli forces had employed excessive force during the 48-hour operation, which marked the largest Israeli military action in the Palestinian territory in years. The operation included airstrikes and the deployment of armored bulldozers that caused extensive destruction to the camp’s infrastructure.
Jenin, known as a stronghold for multiple armed Palestinian groups, has been referred to as a “terrorist nest” by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The European Union representative to the Palestinian territories, Sven Kuehn von Burgsdorff, expressed concern over the military’s use of weaponry and weapons systems during the operation, which resulted in the deaths of 12 Palestinians and one Israeli soldier.
Destruction Caused During Israel’s Raid in Jenin
Speaking during a delegation visit to the camp, Kuehn von Burgsdorff emphasized the urgent need to break the cycle of violence and stressed the importance of finding a political solution to the conflict. He warned that without such a solution, the situation would remain unchanged in the weeks, months, and even years to come.
As the delegation toured the camp, residents showed the destruction caused by Israeli rockets, and local authorities tested a new alarm system designed to warn of future raids. The raid inflicted severe damage on the camp’s infrastructure, with the destruction of eight kilometers of water pipes and three kilometers of sewage pipes, according to the United Nations. Over 100 houses were damaged, along with some schools.
UN officials appealed for funds to assist in the reconstruction of the camp, emphasizing the urgent need to restore services and provide support to the affected children. Leni Stenseth, the deputy commissioner-general of the UN agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA), highlighted the desperate underfunding of the appeal and urged countries to announce their support for the forthcoming rebuilding efforts in Jenin camp.
Algeria announced on Thursday a contribution of $30 million to assist in the reconstruction of Jenin, describing the Israeli attack as “barbaric and criminal.” The United Arab Emirates, which normalized ties with Israel in 2020, pledged $15 million towards the cause on Wednesday.
