Two Palestinians killed as Israeli army expands deadly raids in West Bank

The Israeli military has expanded its deadly raid operations in the occupied West Bank, resulting in the deaths of at least two Palestinians. The Palestinian Ministry of Health stated that 25-year-old Osama Abu Hija was "killed by an Israeli airstrike" in Jenin on Tuesday evening.

Wafa news agency reported that 23-year-old Ayman Fadi Qassem Naji died after being wounded in an attack by Israeli forces in the outskirts of Illar. The report stated that Israeli forces detained him on Tuesday evening before handing his body over to the Red Crescent. Residents reported heavy gunfire as Israeli forces surrounded several houses in the area and deployed reinforcements during the operation, adding that Naji was wounded by gunfire. Residents also indicated that Israeli forces did not allow medical personnel to rescue him, instead detaining him until he bled to death.

Meanwhile, Israel's large-scale deadly operation in Jenin entered its second week and expanded across the northern West Bank. Israeli forces frequently deny emergency medical assistance to injured Palestinians in the occupied territories. On Tuesday evening, Israeli forces also demolished the home of a Palestinian family located north of Tulkarem, whose youth they killed in May 2024. Wafa reported that Israeli forces sent a bulldozer to demolish the house of Tamer Rafat Fukaha, while Israeli snipers watched from the side.

Another young man, identified as Mahmoud Amin Abu Hamed, was also detained after Israeli forces surrounded the house where he was located. Israeli forces also raided the house of Anad Abu Hair Tahaini in Silat al-Harithiya, west of Jenin, ransacking its contents before arresting him. Since Israel began its war on Gaza in October 2023, at least 884 Palestinians have been killed in attacks by Israeli forces and settlers, with another 6,700 injured and at least 14,400 detained.

According to the Palestinian health authorities, Israeli forces have been conducting a large-scale operation in Jenin for two consecutive weeks, supported by armored vehicles, drones, and attack helicopters, resulting in the deaths of at least 16 Palestinians. Jenin Mayor Mohammed Jarrar stated earlier that approximately 15,000 residents have been forced to flee the city and its refugee camp due to the large-scale operation being conducted by Israel. In Nablus, Israeli forces tightened restrictions at four checkpoints leading to the city, causing severe traffic congestion and trapping thousands of Palestinians for hours.

On Tuesday, following the raids, two houses and two commercial shops on the city's Kashka Street were raided. Separate raids were also carried out in several villages in Ramallah on Tuesday evening. Following the ceasefire in Gaza, Israel has been intensifying its military measures in the occupied West Bank after releasing 90 Palestinian prisoners. These raids are even occurring in areas under the full control of the Palestinian Authority and are being carried out without search warrants. Under Israeli military law, army commanders hold full administrative, legislative, and judicial powers over the 3 million Palestinians living in the occupied West Bank.