""Vulnerability Identifier": Apache helicopter under fire in Jenin to rescue fighters • Watch

June 19, 2023   

Joint forces from the Paratrooper Patrol, the Border Guard's undercover unit, and Border Guard fighters arrested two wanted Hamas and Jihad suspects in the Jenin area on Monday morning following intelligence information from the Shin Bet. Seven fighters were injured, one moderately to seriously, and the rest lightly to moderately, after a powerful explosive device was detonated under the Panther vehicle in which they were traveling at the end of the operation. After many hours, all the vehicles were recovered and the forces left the area. Throughout the operation, assault helicopters were launched to rescue casualties and rescue fighters from the area. In an unusual move, combat helicopters were launched to the scene and opened fire to assist the forces on the ground. A helicopter that participated in and assisted from the air in the operation was hit by several projectiles, which did not interfere with the course of the operation. After anti-aircraft fire was fired at the helicopters, one of them fired, unusually, towards an open area, near the location where armed terrorists were identified. This is the first helicopter attack in Samaria since 2002. The explosive device used against the force was a local explosive device that was not used for the first time. The fighters sitting in the Panther vehicle were injured, but the involved fighters were not exposed or harmed. The IDF is preparing for the possibility of a response and a revenge attack following the incident. Following the activity in Jenin, assistance arrived from other sectors in northern Samaria. As a result, it was decided to cancel the entry to Joseph's Tomb tonight, in which hundreds of people were expected to participate. The Palestinians reported five deaths and close to 100 injuries.