Israeli raids in Jenin may be a war crime, UN experts say

At least 4,000 Palestinians have fled from their homes over the past two days

Palestinians clash with Israeli forces during a military operation in the Jenin refugee camp. AFP

Israeli military operations in the Jenin refugee camp in the West Bank may constitute a war crime, UN human rights experts said.

At least 12 Palestinians and one Israeli soldier were killed during a two-day operation that began on Monday. Israeli forces used bulldozers to tear up streets in Jenin, forcing thousands to flee the camp, usually home to about 18,000 people.

On Wednesday, Israel's military announced that it had withdrawn from Jenin.

“Israeli forces’ operations in the occupied West Bank, killing and seriously injuring the occupied population, destroying their homes and infrastructure, and arbitrarily displacing thousands, amount to egregious violations of international law and standards on the use of force and may constitute a war crime,” the experts said.

The experts, known as “special rapporteurs”, report their findings to the UN but operate independently as they monitor rights abuses around the world.

They condemned the “counter-terrorism” operations carried out by Israeli forces in Jenin, emphasising that the attacks had “no justification under international law”.

“The Palestinians in the occupied Palestinian territory are protected persons under international law, guaranteed of all human rights including the presumption of innocence,” the experts said. “They cannot be treated as a collective security threat by the occupying power.”

Jenin conflict – in pictures

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  A gunman shoots into the air during the funeral of Palestinians killed during an Israeli raid, in Jenin in the Israeli-occupied West Bank. Reuters

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  Palestinian Samah Sabagh shows her hands after the two-day Israeli raid in Jenin. Reuters

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  Jenin residents flee as tear gas is fired. Reuters

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  A damaged vehicle left in the street in Jenin. EPA

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  It was Israel’s biggest West Bank incursion in two decades. EPA

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  A Palestinian woman surveys the damage after the Israeli army's withdrawal from Jenin. Reuters

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  Wrecked cars in an alleyway in the occupied West Bank city. AFP

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  The Israeli army has declared the end of a two-day military operation in the area. AFP

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  Jenin from above after the Israeli raid. EPA

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  A Palestinian sorts through aid donations. AFP

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  Vehicles destroyed during the raid. EPA

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  The sun sets after a violent day. AFP

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  Water is handed out to people in Jenin. Reuters

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  An emergency services vehicle passes by as Israeli troops start withdrawing from Jenin, in the occupied West Bank. Reuters

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  Smoke rises above coloured lanterns. EPA

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  A burnt-out building after the Israeli assault. Reuters

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  An Israeli police officer shouts at a Palestinian. Reuters

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  A man wears a mask for protection from tear gas. Reuters

The UN experts called for an end to Israel's “illegal occupation”, stating that it cannot be rectified or improved marginally, as it fundamentally goes against the principles of justice and legality.

The UN experts noted that this week's operation was the “fiercest” in the West Bank since the destruction of the Jenin camp in 2002.

Israel said the operation was aimed at rooting out armed Palestinians after dozens of shooting attacks on Israelis over the past year.

According to the UN, at least 4,000 Palestinians have fled their homes over the past two days.

On Wednesday, Turkey's Anadolu news agency reported that nearly 80 per cent of homes in Jenin's refugee camp were “either destroyed, damaged or burnt” in the Israeli operation.

The city's mayor, Nidal Al Obeidi, said that almost one third of the camp's residents had fled the area during the operation.