Unrest and Root Causes: Jenin's Ongoing Struggle

Jenin, a city and refugee camp in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, is a flashpoint of ongoing conflict between the Israeli military and Palestinian militant groups. The city has seen escalated violence and unemployment, creating fertile ground for militant activity. Israel frequently conducts raids, citing security concerns.

Jenin, a city located in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, has become a nexus of conflict amid rising tensions between Israeli forces and Palestinian militant groups. On Wednesday, the Israeli military carried out a significant operation in Jenin and other areas, resulting in at least nine fatalities, heightening the already simmering unrest.

The city's refugee camp, home to approximately 14,000 people, predominantly consists of descendants of Palestinians displaced in 1948. These residents suffer high levels of poverty and unemployment, fostering deep-rooted hostility toward Israel and strong support for militant groups like Hamas and Islamic Jihad.

Jenin has historically been a hotbed of militant activity, notably during the second Intifada from 2000 to 2005. Israeli forces conduct frequent raids in the area, particularly since a surge in street attacks since March 2022. The city remains a focal point in the broader Israeli-Palestinian conflict, with no resolution in sight.

(With inputs from agencies.)