Israel forces kill 11 Palestinians in occupied West Bank during raids

Nablus: In the occupied West Bank, Israeli forces killed 11 Palestinians on Wednesday and injured more than 100 during a raid. The dead include at least four gunmen and four civilians, Reuters reported.

Through a statement, the Israeli military maintained that its troops fired back when they came under fire, confirming the raid operation in Nablus. The military claimed that it was attempting to detain militants who were allegedly planning an attack. It added there were no casualties on their side.

Meanwhile, Palestine’s Islamic Jihad said the Israeli military surrounded two of their commanders in Nabulus at a house and triggered a clash. Post explosions, youth stoned armoured troop transports. However, the two commanders were killed, and four others were killed, including an old man and a 14-year-old boy.

After a surge in attacks by Palestinians in the streets of Nablus and Jenin since last year, Israel has increased raids in the region.

According to the Palestinian health ministry, 62 Palestinians were killed in 2023, who include civilians and gunmen. While according to Israel’s foreign ministry, ten Israelis and a Ukrainian tourist died of attacks during the same period.

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas’s spokesperson said that Palestine condemned the raids into Nablus and demanded an end to the relentless attack on their people.

Palestinian militant groups warned of a possible reprisal from the Gaza strip. On Thursday, the Israeli military confirmed the launch of six rockets from Gaza. Sirens were blared early on Thursday morning in southern towns of Israel.

Reuters reports that the US-mediated Palestinian statehood talks were stalled for almost a decade.