Military begins withdrawing forces from Jenin after 44 hours

Israeli military forces are beginning to withdraw from the West Bank city of Jenin, after a 44-hour-long operation.

A military source says that some of the forces are already out of the area.

Palestinian media are reporting sporadic clashes with Israeli troops as they leave the city.

Earlier, the Israel Defense Forces said it had questioned over 300 suspects since the operation began early Monday, although only 30 of them were arrested.

Throughout the campaign, the IDF said troops located and demolished at least eight weapon storage sites, six explosives labs with hundreds of primed devices, three war rooms used by Palestinian gunmen to observe Israeli forces, and other “terror infrastructure.”

The IDF said it had also seized 24 assault rifles, 8 handguns and dozens of bullets.

Troops also carried out some 20 drone strikes against various targets in the refugee camp.

Palestinian health officials said 11 Palestinians were killed, and more than 100 were wounded, including 20 listed in serious condition, during Israeli airstrikes and in clashes with Israeli forces. All of the slain Palestinians were involved in the fighting, but there were some noncombatants among the wounded, according to the IDF.

The IDF has said the operation is not a one-off, and will be used to make future operations in Jenin easier for Israeli forces.