Israeli forces conducted an overnight raid in a village near Tulkarm in the occupied West Bank, resulting in the death of five Palestinians, as confirmed by both the Palestinian health ministry and the Israeli military. The operation, which took place in Deir Al-Ghusun, saw the identification of four of the deceased by the health ministry.
Israeli forces reportedly removed some of the bodies from the scene. The Israeli military stated that an officer from a special police unit was injured and hospitalized during the operation. In response to being fired upon, Israeli forces retaliated using live ammunition and shoulder-fired missiles.
This incident is part of an escalating series of clashes between Israeli forces and Palestinians in the occupied West Bank over the past two years, intensifying following a Hamas-led attack on Israel in October. According to records from the Palestinian Health Ministry, 492 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces or Jewish settlers in the West Bank or East Jerusalem since October, including armed fighters, stone-throwing youths, and civilians.
The longstanding desire of Palestinians for an independent state with East Jerusalem as its capital remains unfulfilled, with US-backed negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians stalled for a decade. The recent conflict in Gaza has renewed pressure for a revival of efforts towards a two-state solution.
In Gaza, health officials in the Hamas-ruled enclave report that more than 34,000 Palestinians have been killed in Israel’s seven-month assault, which began following Hamas militants’ attack on Israel in October. This conflict has resulted in significant casualties and continues to strain efforts towards peace and stability in the region.
