Written By Lisa Murimi
Five Palestinians were killed by Israeli forces on Thursday in ongoing raids across the West Bank, marking the second day of intense military operations.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) claimed the fatalities occurred during an encounter with militants who had taken refuge inside a mosque in Tulkarm.
The IDF identified one of the deceased as Mohammed Jaber, a local leader of the Tulkarem Brigade linked to the Palestinian Islamic Jihad militant group.
The IDF’s operation, which began on Wednesday, has resulted in conflicting reports regarding casualties.
The Palestinian health ministry reports a total of 12 deaths, while the IDF confirmed nine militants killed, including those in Jenin, Tulkarm, and al-Faraa refugee camp.
UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres has called for an immediate halt to the IDF’s actions, urging Israeli forces to exercise maximum restraint and use lethal force only when absolutely necessary.
Meanwhile, Israeli Ambassador to the UN, Danny Danon, defended the operation as crucial for preventing potential attacks from Iranian-backed groups.
The escalating violence follows a recent surge in unrest since the October 7 Hamas attack on Israel, raising concerns about the broader impact of the West Bank operations.
