Palestinians in the West Bank city of Jenin have said they received orders to leave their homes from the Israeli military. Israel’s military has said it has merely offered exits via “secure and organized routes.”

Hundreds of civilians began leaving their homes in the Israeli-occupied West Bank on Thursday as Israeli forces continued military action around the city of Jenin, according to Palestinian officials.

“Hundreds of camp residents have begun leaving after the Israeli army, using loudspeakers on drones and military vehicles, ordered them to evacuate the camp,” Jenin Governor Kamal Abu al-Rub told the AFP news agency, referring to a refugee camp adjacent to the city.

“There are dozens of camp residents who have begun to leave,” Jenin resident Salim Saadi told AFP. “The army is in front of my house. They could enter at any moment.”

Jenin: What is Israel doing in the West Bank?

Earlier this week, Israel launched a raid in the Jenin area, which it says is a hotbed of Iranian-supported Palestinian militant activity. The operation started days into a ceasefire in its war with Hamas in the Gaza Strip.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the West Bank operation, codenamed “Iron Wall,” aimed to “eradicate terrorism” in the area, especially in the refugee camp neighboring Jenin.

Now in its fourth day, the military operation has so far claimed the lives of at least 12 Palestinians and injured 40 more, according to the Palestinian Health Ministry, which doesn’t distinguish between civilians and militants in its figures.

Hundreds of civilians began leaving their homes in the Israeli-occupied West Bank on Thursday as Israeli forces continued military action around the city of Jenin, according to Palestinian officials.

“Hundreds of camp residents have begun leaving after the Israeli army, using loudspeakers on drones and military vehicles, ordered them to evacuate the camp,” Jenin Governor Kamal Abu al-Rub told the AFP news agency, referring to a refugee camp adjacent to the city.

“There are dozens of camp residents who have begun to leave,” Jenin resident Salim Saadi told AFP. “The army is in front of my house. They could enter at any moment.”

Jenin: What is Israel doing in the West Bank?

Earlier this week, Israel launched a raid in the Jenin area, which it says is a hotbed of Iranian-supported Palestinian militant activity. The operation started days into a ceasefire in its war with Hamas in the Gaza Strip.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the West Bank operation, codenamed “Iron Wall,” aimed to “eradicate terrorism” in the area, especially in the refugee camp neighboring Jenin.

Now in its fourth day, the military operation has so far claimed the lives of at least 12 Palestinians and injured 40 more, according to the Palestinian Health Ministry, which doesn’t distinguish between civilians and militants in its figures.