West Bank violence kills 5, wounds scores more

Israeli military forces on Monday raided a refugee camp in the West Bank city of Jenin to arrest two Palestinian militants. The troops encountered fierce resistance and, over the course of 10 hours of fighting, had to evacuate from the area. The Israeli military deployed helicopters to assist with the evacuation. It was the first time they’d been used in the area for two decades.

What did the raid accomplish? The Islamic Jihad militant group claimed three of the five Palestinians who died as members. Eight Israeli soldiers suffered injuries. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visited wounded soldiers in the hospital and said Israel would continue to fight against terrorism with strength and determination.

Dig deeper: Read Jenny Lind Schmitt’s report in WORLD Magazine about how Israel is grappling with the future role of religion in its national identity.