Israel kills at least 9 Palestinians in northern West Bank

RAMALLAH/JERUSALEM, Aug. 28 (Xinhua) — At least nine Palestinians were killed and 11 others injured during a large-scale Israeli military operation in northern West Bank on Wednesday, said the Palestinian Health Ministry and the official Palestinian news agency WAFA.
The Israeli army launched the operation in the West Bank cities of Jenin, Tulkarm, and Tubas in the northern West Bank, which is expected to last for several days, according to Israeli media.
Israel’s state-owned Kan TV news reported that ground troops, as well as attack helicopters and drones, raided several locations in the West Bank to “eliminate” militant cells.
In the Far’a refugee camp near Tubas, paramedics reported that ambulances were struggling to reach injured people following a drone strike, and in a video posted on social media, armored vehicles were seen patrolling around a hospital in Jenin.
The Israeli military issued a statement saying its troops were operating in the West Bank cities of Jenin and Tulkarm, without providing further details.
Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz wrote on social media that Israel Defense Forces began an “intense” raid overnight to “thwart terrorist infrastructure.” He blamed Iran for supporting militants in the West Bank and said, “We must deal with the threat just as we deal with the terrorist infrastructure in Gaza, including the temporary evacuation of residents and whatever steps are required.”
Israeli military spokesperson Avichai Adraee also said Wednesday in a statement that Israeli security forces have begun an operation to “thwart terrorism” in Jenin and Tulkarm.
Israel has been carrying out almost daily raids in the West Bank since the beginning of the war in Gaza on Oct. 7, 2023. The ongoing Israeli attacks have so far claimed more than 40,400 lives in Gaza, according to local health authorities. ■