JERUSALEM (AP) — The Israeli navy stated it killed two Palestinian gunmen who fired on troops within the occupied West Financial institution early on Wednesday, the newest in near-daily violence roiling the area.
The taking pictures got here as tensions are at a fever pitch following a collection of Israeli airstrikes in the Gaza Strip that killed three senior Islamic Jihad militants and 10 others — most of them girls and youngsters — on Tuesday. Palestinian militants have pledged to retaliate and Israel says it’s ready for an additional escalation of hostilities.
The Israeli navy has instructed residents of southern Israel to stay close to bomb shelters, and faculties had been nonetheless closed for a second day as a precaution towards assaults by Palestinian militant teams within the Gaza Strip.
Within the West Financial institution, the navy stated that Palestinian gunmen opened fireplace at troops within the Palestinian city of Qabatiya within the northern West Financial institution throughout a military raid. Troops returned fireplace, killing the 2 males, and confiscated their firearms, it stated.
The Palestinian Well being Ministry recognized the slain males as Ahmed Assaf, 19, and Rani Qatanat, 24. No militant group instantly claimed the lads as its members.
Israel has been conducting near-daily raids for over a 12 months to detain suspected Palestinian militants, together with many from Islamic Jihad. The northern West Financial institution metropolis of Jenin and its environs have been the frequent goal of such raids because it has emerged as a hub of Palestinian militant exercise.
Israel says the raids within the West Financial institution are supposed to dismantle militant networks and thwart future assaults.
A minimum of 107 Palestinians, round half of them militants, have been killed by Israeli fireplace within the occupied West Financial institution because the begin of 2023, in line with an Related Press tally. A minimum of 20 folks have been killed in Palestinian assaults focusing on Israelis.
Israel captured the West Financial institution within the 1967 conflict and the Palestinians search the territory, together with east Jerusalem and the Gaza Strip, for a future impartial state.