Three Palestinians martyred in West Bank violence

Gaza: At least three Palestinians were killed in the occupied West Bank on Friday, following a call by the United Nations for a "meaningful political process" to address the escalating Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Israeli forces killed two Palestinians during a raid on the city of Nablus in the northern West Bank, as confirmed by Israeli and Palestinian officials. The Palestinian health ministry declared two martyrs and three injured individuals. The Israeli army reported no casualties among its forces.

The Israeli army entered Nablus to apprehend two individuals wanted for their alleged involvement in a shooting incident that targeted Israeli police at a West Bank settlement earlier this month. The incident did not result in any casualties.

According to the Palestinian health ministry, the deceased were identified as Khairi Shaheen, 34, and Hamza Maqbul, 32. The Israeli army claimed that they were killed during an exchange of fire and confiscated weapons from the scene.

Witnesses reported that Israeli troops surrounded a house in Nablus' Old City, a stronghold of Palestinian groups, before urging those inside to surrender.

Later on Friday, a third Palestinian, 24-year-old Abdel Jawad Hamdan Saleh, was killed during a demonstration against settlements in the village of Umm Safa, north of Ramallah, according to the Palestinian health ministry. Umm Safa has been a frequent site of clashes between residents and Israeli settlers. The Israeli army did not provide an immediate comment on the incident when approached by AFP.

These fatalities occur amidst a surge in violence in the region. On Thursday, an Israeli soldier was shot dead near Nablus. The Palestinian movement Hamas claimed responsibility, stating that it was in response to an Israeli raid on the Jenin refugee camp earlier that week.

Israel recently carried out its largest operation in years in the West Bank, resulting in 12 Palestinian deaths and the loss of an Israeli soldier in the Jenin refugee camp. Some Arab countries, including Algeria and the United Arab Emirates, have announced aid for the affected areas.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres expressed concern over the excessive use of force by Israeli forces and emphasized the need for a political process and a two-state solution to restore hope and end the occupation.

The Israeli army also conducted strikes in southern Lebanon after an anti-tank missile from Lebanon exploded in the border area. The Israeli-Palestinian conflict this year has claimed the lives of at least 193 Palestinians, 27 Israelis, one Ukrainian, and one Italian, according to official sources from both sides.

Courtesy: AFP