IDF exercise disrupting life in Jordan Valley, Palestinians complain
Army denies claims of school disruptions, temporary evacuation orders ahead of day-long exercise
IDF preparations for military maneuvers in the Jordan Valley are reportedly causing disruptions for local Palestinians, with residents complaining of children being forced to stay home from school as a result of the exercises.
“On my way to school, an Israeli military patrol accompanied by a tank stopped us,” 10th-grader Muhanad al-Hrub told Palestinian news agency Ma’an.
“They stopped the tractor that other students and I were riding … They forced us to return to the village,” said al-Hrub.
According to residents, Israeli tank and infantry units moved into the Al-Malih area, south of Jenin, late Saturday. IDF forces informed them that the exercises will run from Monday evening to Tuesday evening.
Al-Malih Mayor Aref Daraghmeh said the army delivered evacuation orders to families in his town over the weekend, adding that residents were told the exercises would involve live fire.
An IDF spokesperson told The Times of Israel that routine exercises are currently taking place in the area, but denied reports of evacuation orders and disruptions to Palestinian daily routine.