The Palestinian Observatory “Tahaqaq” debunks misleading Israeli claims targeting the Palestinian Red Crescent in Jenin

فاطمة الخطيبتدقيق المعلومات - تحقق

The claim

A fighter from the “Jenin Battalion” has volunteered with the Red Crescent to evade the relentless pursuit of the Israeli occupation forces.

Israeli groups on the social media platform “Telegram” shared images and a video of a young man named Osayd Shalabi, appearing in paramedic uniform in one instance and holding a weapon in another. Those sharing the content claimed that he belongs to the Jenin Brigade and had volunteered with the Palestinian Red Crescent in Jenin to deceive the Israeli occupation forces and escape being pursued, according to their claims.

This claim emerged in the aftermath of the Israeli occupation forces’ withdrawal from Jenin city and its refugee camp, following a 10-day military operation.

The Palestinian Observatory “Tahaqaq” thoroughly examined the circulated claim, scrutinizing the authenticity of the images and video through open-source, digital search tools, and engaging directly with the Director of Ambulance and Emergency Services at the Palestinian Red Crescent Society, as well as the individual depicted in the content. The findings confirmed that the claim is misleading, and the images were shared in a misleading context.

The Palestinian Red Crescent denies the claims reported to “Tahaqaq”

Ahmed Jibril, head of Ambulance and Emergency Services at the Palestinian Red Crescent, denied the Israeli claims linking Osayd Shalabi to the Jenin Battalion. He clarified that Shalabi has been a committed volunteer paramedic with the Red Crescent for over a year and a half, well before these claims arose, and is also an officer in the Palestinian Preventive Security Forces in Ramallah.

“These claims are entirely false and without merit,” Jibril stated, adding that they have numerous videos documenting Shalabi’s genuine paramedic missions.

What is the truth behind the photos that the occupation claims show a member of the Jenin Battalion?

The “Tahaqaq” team reached out to Osayd Shalabi, whom the allegations claimed was a member of the Jenin Battalion, to clarify the authenticity of the circulated photos. Shalabi confirmed to “Tahaqaq” that he is an officer in the Palestinian Preventive Security, not a member of the Jenin Battalion as alleged. He explained that the weapon seen in the photo is a “Miri” firearm belonging to the Palestinian Authority. At the time, he was wearing a military uniform with the Preventive Security emblem on his shoulders, and he had posted the photo on his Instagram account on February 21, 2024.

Shalabi provided the observatory team with a photo of his military ID to confirm his position within the Preventive Security forces. The observatory has chosen not to publish this image to protect his privacy.

Regarding the photos in paramedic attire that were circulated with the allegations, the observatory team determined that these images were taken from videos Shalabi recorded himself on September 2 of this year, during the military operation in Jenin city and its refugee camp.

Regarding the interview in which Shalabi appeared on Al-Ouda TV and was published as recent, the “Tahaqaq” team found through open-source research that it is an old recording, not related to the recent military operation in Jenin. The interview, conducted by Al-Ouda reporter Anas Houshia, was actually recorded on February 22, 2024. In it, Shalabi testified as an eyewitness to an Israeli airstrike on a civilian vehicle in Jenin camp, which targeted released prisoner Yasser Mustafa Hanoun, the brother of the martyr Ammar Hanoun.

In a related context, Shalabi provided “Tahaqaq” team with various videos and photos from different angles showing his work as a volunteer paramedic with the Palestinian Red Crescent. These materials include footage of him handling injuries and other videos documenting his participation in training sessions related to his field.

This confirms that he was a volunteer before the recent military operation, as evidenced by the videos and photos he documented in July 2023, during the previous incursion into Jenin city.

Israeli Military Operation in Northern West Bank

Following an extensive military operation that lasted approximately ten days, the Israeli occupation forces withdrew from Jenin city and its refugee camp. This operation, which began on Wednesday, August 28, was named “Summer Camps” and targeted Jenin, its refugee camp, Tulkarm, and Tubas. The operation involved widespread destruction of infrastructure, targeted assassinations of Palestinian youths, and a crackdown on arrests in the affected cities.

According to the latest report from the Palestinian Ministry of Health on Thursday, September 5, the operation resulted in the martyrdom of 21 individuals from Jenin Governorate, eight from Tubas Governorate, seven from Tulkarm, and three from Hebron.

The Israeli occupation forces announced in a statement yesterday, Friday, that the military operation in the West Bank will continue until its objectives are achieved.

Occupation Impedes Palestinian Red Crescent Operations in Jenin

The Palestinian Red Crescent Society reported in a statement on September 2 that the occupation forces have obstructed the access of the Society’s ambulances to injured and sick individuals in various areas of Jenin city and its refugee camp. Additionally, they have prevented the delivery of humanitarian and relief aid to those affected.

The statement further noted that the occupation forces directly targeted the Red Crescent ambulances, opening fire to prevent them from responding to humanitarian calls. This resulted in the injury of two paramedics and a volunteer doctor while they were fulfilling their humanitarian duties.

What is the “Summer Camps” operation?

Israel has described the “Summer Camps” operation as the largest military campaign since the “Defensive Shield” operation launched in 2002.

The operation focused on cities in the northern West Bank, including Jenin and its refugee camp, Tulkarm and its two camps, and the Fara’a camp in the Tubas district.

The military operation included the razing of infrastructure and streets, the partial and complete demolition of several homes, as well as the besiegement of hospitals in Jenin and Tulkarm.

In response to this operation, the military wings of Palestinian factions announced a joint operation named “Terror of the Camps.” This operation included gunfire and armed clashes with advancing forces across various fronts in the targeted cities.

Ongoing Israeli War in Gaza

Simultaneously with the military operation in the West Bank and the ensuing destruction of infrastructure, as well as human and material losses, the Israeli occupation forces continue their war on Gaza for the 337th day. The Palestinian Ministry of Health in Gaza reported that the occupation forces committed four massacres against families in Gaza in the past 48 hours. This has resulted in 61 martyrs and 162 injuries reaching hospitals, raising the total death toll to over 40,000 and injuries to more than 94,000.