Israeli forces kill Palestinian during Jenin raid

Israeli forces shot dead a Palestinian man during a military operation in the occupied West Bank city of Jenin on Thursday, the Palestinian health ministry said.

Mustafa al-Kastouni, 32, was shot by Israeli troops in the head, chest and abdomen, after a large army unit raided Jenin in the early hours.

The Palestinian health ministry said that one of its employees was also shot in the stomach during the raid. The operation sparked violent confrontations between Israeli troops and Palestinian gunmen. 

Local sources told Wafa news agency that the Israeli military blew up Kastouni's home and detained at least two other Palestinians.

Al-Aqsa Martyrs' Brigades, an armed faction linked to the ruling Fatah movement, claimed Kastouni as one of its fighters.

On Tuesday, Israeli troops killed two Palestinians, including a minor, during a raid on Aqbat Jabr refugee camp in Jericho.

Qusai al-Walaji, 16, and Mohammed Najum al-Omar, 25, were shot with live bullets in the camp, which has become a regular target for Israeli military raids.

Middle East Eye believes at least 213 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli fire this year, including 37 children - a rate of nearly one fatality per day.

A total of 177 people have died in the West Bank and East Jerusalem this year, making 2023 one of the bloodiest years in the occupied Palestinian territories. Another 36 people have been killed in the Gaza Strip.

Meanwhile, Palestinians have killed 26 Israelis in the same period, including six children.