Israel’s large-scale military operation in Jenin in the northern West Bank is continuing, Palestinians said on Saturday.<\/p>\n
Heavy clashes were reported between Israeli forces and armed Palestinians in the flashpoint city, which is considered a militant stronghold and frequently sees raids by Israeli troops.<\/p>\n
Several people were taken into custody in an eastern Jenin neighbourhood on Saturday, the Palestinian news agency WAFA reported.<\/p>\n
Israeli soldiers prevented Palestinian civil defence workers from bringing water to a hospital, WAFA also reported.<\/p>\n
The director of the Jenin Governmental Hospital told the agency that there were fears that shortages of clean water would especially impact patients with kidney disease who require dialysis treatments.<\/p>\n
WAFA reported that water pipes supplying the hospital have been damaged by the Israeli military operation and that several parts of Jenin have been cut off from water.<\/p>\n
There are also said to be power cuts in some places.<\/p>\n
The account could not be independently verified. Upon enquiry, Israel’s military stated that it was investigating the reports.<\/p>\n
Israel launched simultaneous military operations in Jenin, Tulkarem and Tubas on Wednesday on the ground that there had been a significant increase in the number of attacks on Israelis.<\/p>\n
The army said the aim is to take action against West Bank terrorist cells affiliated with the Hamas and Islamic Jihad organizations.<\/p>\n
The Israeli army said 20 Palestinian militants have been killed in exchanges of fire and airstrikes since the start of the large-scale operation. Dozens of explosive devices have been destroyed and numerous weapons confiscated, it said.<\/p>\n