Jenin resident says he left city after IDF broke into his home, put snipers on roof

Jenin resident Samer Alawneh, a tour guide, tells The Times of Israel he was forced out of his house by the IDF during the ongoing military operation in Jenin launched yesterday.

Alawneh says he first heard a drone fly over his house at around 1 a.m. on Monday, as the operation was launched. He then heard an explosion coming from the Jenin refugee camp. Subsequently, he says he saw military vehicles passing by his house and began to feel worried for his family as the operation continued.

He says the son of his neighbor, Noureddine Marshoud, was one of 10 Palestinians killed in the first hours (photos of Marshoud brandishing an assault rifle have been doing the rounds on social media).

Later in the day, at around 2 p.m., Samer says he heard banging on his door and at least five IDF soldiers broke into his home and forced him out with his wife and four children. He claims the IDF then proceeded to place snipers on the rooftop of his house, and that he has not been able to return home and is now in his home village of Jaba’ with his family, about 25 kilometers from the city, waiting for the military operation to end. Access roads in and out of the city are currently closed, he notes.

Samer also comments on today’s ramming attack against civilians in Tel Aviv, describing it as a “natural reaction” to the IDF’s operation in Jenin, and denies claims that the al-Ansari mosque was used as a weapon depot, describing the report as a “fabrication” by the Israeli army.

The IDF did not immediately respond to a request for comment by The Times of Israel.