Israeli Forces Conduct Operations in West Bank, Resulting in Seven Palestinian Deaths
West Bank – In a series of military operations on Tuesday, Israeli forces killed seven Palestinians, according to Palestinian officials. The Israeli military confirmed that these operations were aimed at targeting militants.
The violence unfolded predominantly in the West Bank towns of Tammun and Qabatiyah. In Tammun, two men were reported killed, with Ahmad Assad, the governor of nearby Tubas, characterizing one victim’s body as "torn to pieces" due to an airstrike. The Palestinian health ministry in Ramallah corroborated the death of the two individuals, noting that the identity of one of the men remained unknown and that his body was withheld by the army.
An Israeli military spokesperson elaborated on the Tammun operation, revealing that forces arrived via helicopter and vehicle, surrounding both the Tammun and Far’a areas. During this operation, clashes ensued between the soldiers and alleged militants, resulting in two men being killed after they were identified as "armed terrorists." The military also reported discovering seven explosive devices in a mosque during the operation.
In a separate incident in Qabatiyah, two additional Palestinians were killed in an airstrike. Kamal Abu Rubb, the governor of Jenin, confirmed their ages, stating they were 40 and 38 years old and related to one another. The military indicated that the operation targeted an armed terrorist cell that had opened fire on troops in the area of Menashe, an Israeli settlement near Qabatiyah. It was noted that several other militants were arrested during this operation.
Later in the day, local health officials reported that three more Palestinians had been killed in Qabatiyah. The Palestinian Red Crescent indicated that their first responders retrieved two bodies from a vehicle following reports of gunfire. The third individual was allegedly shot inside his home by Israeli forces.
The escalation of violence in the West Bank has intensified since the onset of the Gaza war on October 7 of last year. Data from the Ramallah-based health ministry indicates that Israeli troops or settlers have killed at least 757 Palestinians in the West Bank during this period, while official Israeli sources report that Palestinian attacks have resulted in at least 24 Israeli deaths in the same timeframe.
As tensions remain high in the region, the humanitarian impact of the ongoing conflict continues to escalate, drawing international attention and concern.