Fri Jan 24 13:59:38 UTC 2025: ## Israeli Forces Seal Off Jenin as Deadly Raids Enter Fourth Day; UN Condemns “Unlawful Lethal Force”
**JENIN, WEST BANK –** Israeli forces have completely sealed off the occupied West Bank city of Jenin, blocking all four main entrances on Friday, as a deadly military operation enters its fourth day. The UN has expressed deep concern over the use of what it called “unlawful lethal force,” including methods typically reserved for warfare.
The operation, which Israel claims targets Palestinian fighters, has resulted in at least 12 Palestinian deaths and dozens of injuries. Thousands of residents have been forced to flee their homes, with reports of widespread destruction and arbitrary arrests.
A UN Human Rights Office spokesperson, Thameen al-Kheetan, stated that the Israeli military’s actions, including multiple airstrikes and indiscriminate shooting at fleeing civilians, raise serious concerns about violations of international human rights law. Al-Kheetan specifically highlighted the use of warfighting methods in what should be law enforcement operations.
Palestinian National Initiative leader Mustafa Barghouti condemned the raids as “dangerous ethnic cleansing,” accusing Israel of forcing civilians from their homes through violence and humiliating searches. He drew parallels between the current operation in Jenin and Israel’s actions in Gaza, citing Israeli army chief Herzi Halevi’s statements on similar goals and repressive tactics in both territories. Barghouti called for Palestinian unity to counter what he termed “Israeli ethnic cleansing and genocide.” The situation remains highly volatile, with the humanitarian consequences of the siege and ongoing violence yet to be fully assessed.
First Piper 