Opinion: What’s next after the IDF’s withdrawal from Jenin
Iran's continued funding of terrorists within the West Bank makes the military's return a certainty
As Operation House and Garden in Jenin comes to an end the IDF is satisfied that most objectives were achieved.
The top priority was to destroy the terror infrastructure, particularly the explosives factories, weapon storage facilities and command and control centres.
The second priority was ensuring the IDF’s freedom of movement – that was quickly accomplished , giving them control of the whole area. The IDF also dismantled the terror groups’ CCTV across the city, which had given them the ability to monitor and attack previous IDF incursions.
Their third achievement relates to international legitimacy. Allies recognised the limited scope of the operation and Israel’s need to degrade terrorist capability. It was also noteworthy that not a single Palestinian civilian was killed.
In other realms the army only achieved partial success. They ‘only’ killed twelve terrorists, and did not arrest as many as hoped, with many fleeing and hiding in the hospital.
When the operation began the IDF made clear that the Palestinian Authority (PA) was not the target. Incursions into Jenin have been regular over the last 18 months, as Operation Breakwater filled the vacuum vacated by the PA. The IDF hoped (perhaps naively) that a return to full coordination with their security forces could be mutually advantageous – this has not happened.
As a result of these partial successes, and Iran’s continued funding and support of terrorists, it is highly likely that sooner rather than later the IDF will once again need to return to the streets of Jenin.
- Richard Pater is the Chief Executive of BICOM, and an analyst based in Jerusalem
Thank you for helping to make Jewish News the leading source of news and opinion for the UK Jewish community. Today we're asking for your invaluable help to continue putting our community first in everything we do.
For as little as £5 a month you can help sustain the vital work we do in celebrating and standing up for Jewish life in Britain.
Jewish News holds our community together and keeps us connected. Like a synagogue, it’s where people turn to feel part of something bigger. It also proudly shows the rest of Britain the vibrancy and rich culture of modern Jewish life.
You can make a quick and easy one-off or monthly contribution of £5, £10, £20 or any other sum you’re comfortable with.
100% of your donation will help us continue celebrating our community, in all its dynamic diversity...
Engaging
Being a community platform means so much more than producing a newspaper and website. One of our proudest roles is media partnering with our invaluable charities to amplify the outstanding work they do to help us all.
Celebrating
There’s no shortage of oys in the world but Jewish News takes every opportunity to celebrate the joys too, through projects like Night of Heroes, 40 Under 40 and other compelling countdowns that make the community kvell with pride.
Pioneering
In the first collaboration between media outlets from different faiths, Jewish News worked with British Muslim TV and Church Times to produce a list of young activists leading the way on interfaith understanding.
Campaigning
Royal Mail issued a stamp honouring Holocaust hero Sir Nicholas Winton after a Jewish News campaign attracted more than 100,000 backers. Jewish Newsalso produces special editions of the paper highlighting pressing issues including mental health and Holocaust remembrance.
Easy access
In an age when news is readily accessible, Jewish News provides high-quality content free online and offline, removing any financial barriers to connecting people.
Voice of our community to wider society
The Jewish News team regularly appears on TV, radio and on the pages of the national press to comment on stories about the Jewish community. Easy access to the paper on the streets of London also means Jewish News provides an invaluable window into the community for the country at large.
We hope you agree all this is worth preserving.
