Israel’s military said it responded to the “riot” attack in two separate incidents, citing “violent riots” that broke out “during routine operations.”
Three Palestinians were killed during nighttime clashes with Israeli forces in two separate incidents in the occupied West Bank, where violence has flared in recent months, while a woman was seriously injured in a Palestinian car attack.
The perpetrator of the car attack, which took place near the settlement of Kohav Yaakov in the West Bank, has died, as announced by the Jerusalem hospital where he was treated. From the attack a woman aged about 20 was seriously injured in the head.
Without confirming her identity, a hospital spokesman said she is an Israeli, “based on all available evidence.”
Earlier today Israeli army says it responded to ‘riot’ attack in two different incidents. The first occurred in Beit Omar, near Hebron, a city in the southern part of the West Bank where tensions remain high between Jewish settlers and Palestinians. The second took place in Kafr Ein, near Ramallah, seat of the Palestinian Authority.
According to the Palestinian Ministry of Health, a Palestinian succumbed after being wounded in the head by a bullet fired by Israeli soldiers in Beit Omar. The Palestinian Authority reported that the deceased is Mufid Mahmoud Khalil, 44 years old.
For its part, the army pointed out that he opened fire, with no casualtiesagainst “rioters” who threw stones and Molotov cocktails at members of the armed forces after two army vehicles on patrol near Beit Omar were stopped due to a technical problem.
Then in Kafr Ein, near Ramallah, the seat of the Palestinian Authority, Jawad and Dafer Abdul Rahman Rimawi, two brothers aged 22 and 21, were killed by Israeli army fire, the Palestinian health ministry added.
On Twitter, Hussein al-Sheikh, the Palestinian minister of political affairs, called it a “cold-blooded execution”, calling it a “horrific crime”.
The Israeli army spoke of “violent riots” which broke out “during routine operations” of the Israeli armed forces near Kafr Ein. “Suspects threw rocks and Molotov cocktails at soldiers, who responded by using riot gear and live fire,” he added.
“We have been informed about the information about two dead Palestinians. The incident is being investigated,” he stressed.
“Boiling point”
After these incidents, the Islamist movement Hamas, which rules the Gaza Strip, denounced in a statement “the escalation” of tension by Israel, adding that it would meet “increasing resistance” from the Palestinians.
Tensions have been high for months in the West Bank, Palestinian territory held by Israel since 1967, where the Israeli military has stepped up operations following a series of deadly anti-Israeli attacks in March and April. Since then, it has launched over 2,000 raids in the West Bank, especially in the Jenin and Nablus sectors.
Its raids, during which clashes often erupt with the Palestinian population, have claimed the lives of over 125 people on the Palestinian side. It is the heaviest toll in the West Bank in about seven years, according to the UN.
“The conflict has reached a new boiling point”moreover, the UN mediator for the Middle East Tor Venesland said yesterday Monday, the day before the world day of solidarity with the Palestinians.
Moreover, in Israel, consultations continue on the formation of a new coalition government between acting Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, head of the right-wing Likud party, and his ultra-Orthodox and far-right allies.
Likud has already signed an agreement with Itamar Ben-Gvir’s far-right Jewish Power party, which won a record number of seats (14). Ben-Gvir wants Israeli forces to use more force against “terrorism”.
Under the agreement, the head of the Jewish Force will take over the Ministry of Homeland Security in the next government. But for this to happen, Netanyahu will have to reach an agreement with the other parties as well.
Last week the Israeli army suspended two soldiers accused of attacking human rights activists in Hebron.
“Ben Gvir will put order here. It’s over, you lost (…) the party is over,” one of the soldiers had said, according to the video taken by the activist.
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With a wealth of experience honed over 4+ years in journalism, I bring a seasoned voice to the world of news. Currently, I work as a freelance writer and editor, always seeking new opportunities to tell compelling stories in the field of world news.
