Israeli forces kill two Palestinians amid overnight West Bank raids
Israeli forces killed two Palestinians and wounded dozens more while suffering five injuries as they raided several areas in the occupied West Bank on Wednesday and into Thursday morning.
Abd al-Rahman Faris Atta, 23, and Huthaifa Mohammad Faris, 27, were killed south of Tulkarm city, according to the Palestinian health ministry.
The Israeli military claimed they opened fire at an Israeli settler who was unharmed. They were then pursued and shot dead by soldiers.
Separately, Israeli forces stormed parts of Tulkarm and Nablus overnight, leading to confrontations with residents and heavy clashes with resistance fighters.
At least 200 civilians were wounded in the eastern parts of Nablus on Wednesday night as they protested at the entry of settlers into Joseph's Tomb, a religious site, under the protection of soldiers.
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The injuries were caused by live fire, rubber-coated steel bullets and tear gas, Palestinian medics said.
In another part of Nablus, Israeli troops in the Balata refugee camp faced resistance from fighters who used live fire and explosive devices to stop the army’s advance.
Similar clashes occurred in Tulkarm’s refugee camp amid a separate Israeli raid there.
Hamas and the Islamic Jihad said in statements their fighters were engaged in the reported gunfights and the setting off of explosive devices, claiming they led to Israeli casualties.
Palestinian media posted photos of blood-soaked items purportedly belonging to the wounded soldiers. A video unverified by Middle East Eye showed Israeli troops evacuating a wounded soldier from Tulkarm.
Israeli forces confirmed that five officers were wounded in a grenade explosion during the raid in Tulkarm. Three were in serious condition and two were lightly and moderately wounded.
This year has been one of the bloodiest in the occupied West Bank for Palestinians in two decades.
At least 195 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli fire in 2023 so far, including 27 children. Another 37 have been killed in the Gaza Strip, including seven children.
Palestinians have killed at least 30 Israelis in the same period, including six children.
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