9 Palestinians killed in Israeli raid in West Bank

By Xinhua Published: Jan 27, 2023 08:56 AM

People run to take cover during clashes with Israeli forces in the West Bank city of Jenin, on Jan. 26, 2023. Israeli forces killed on Thursday at least nine Palestinians, including an elderly woman, during a raid in the occupied West Bank, Palestinian sources said, amid escalating violence in the region. Photo: Xinhua

Israeli forces killed on Thursday at least nine Palestinians, including an elderly woman, during a raid in the occupied West Bank, Palestinian sources said, amid escalating violence in the region.

The violence took place in the Jenin refugee camp in the northern West Bank, a flashpoint town that has been a stronghold for militants and a target for frequent Israeli raids for almost a year.

The Israeli military confirmed in a statement that it raided the refugee camp, saying it acted to foil "a major attack" by militants.

The Palestinian Health Ministry said in a statement that at least nine people were killed and 13 others injured, including three who sustained serious wounds.

In a separate statement, Palestinian Health Minister Mai al-Kaila accused the Israeli forces of throwing tear gas into a children's ward in a hospital.

"The occupation forces stormed Jenin Government Hospital and intentionally fired tear gas canisters at the pediatric department in the hospital," she said.

Jenin hospital identified the elderly woman fatality as Magda Obaid in her 60s.

The Israeli military said in a statement that the army and the national counter-terrorism force Yamam raided the refugee camp of Jenin in order to arrest "a terror squad" belonging to the Islamic Jihad, a Palestinian armed group. A gunfight ensued between the Israeli troops and members of the Islamic Jihad squad.

The Israeli military said that the operation was based on "precise intelligence information" provided by Israel's Shin Bet internal security agency, which led the forces into the building in the Jenin camp.

No Israeli injuries were reported.

Israel's state-owned Kan TV news reported that fearing a wider escalation, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu convened a situation assessment meeting with senior security officials.

More than 170 Palestinians were killed in the West Bank in 2022, and at least 29 have been killed in January this year, according to figures from the Palestinian Health Ministry. According to a statement issued by the United Nations, 2022 was the deadliest year for Palestinians since 2006.

The tensions have been further aggravated after Israel's new right-wing government sworn in in December last year.

Israel said the raids are necessary to arrest suspects allegedly involved in attacks against Israelis.

People run to take cover during clashes with Israeli forces in the West Bank city of Jenin, on Jan. 26, 2023. Israeli forces killed on Thursday at least nine Palestinians, including an elderly woman, during a raid in the occupied West Bank, Palestinian sources said, amid escalating violence in the region. Photo: Xinhua

A Palestinian protester hurls a stone at Israeli soldiers during clashes in the West Bank city of Hebron, on Jan. 26, 2023. Israeli forces killed on Thursday at least nine Palestinians, including an elderly woman, during a raid in the occupied West Bank, Palestinian sources said, amid escalating violence in the region. Photo: Xinhua

People take part in a protest against Israeli soldiers' killing of nine Palestinians in Amman, Jordan, on Jan. 26, 2023. Israeli forces killed on Thursday at least nine Palestinians, including an elderly woman, during a raid in the occupied West Bank, Palestinian sources said, amid escalating violence in the region. Photo: Xinhua

An Israeli soldier aims his weapon at Palestinian protesters during clashes in the West Bank city of Hebron, on Jan. 26, 2023. Israeli forces killed on Thursday at least nine Palestinians, including an elderly woman, during a raid in the occupied West Bank, Palestinian sources said, amid escalating violence in the region. Photo: Xinhua

A Palestinian protester rolls a burning tire during clashes with Israeli soldiers in the West Bank city of Hebron, on Jan. 26, 2023. Israeli forces killed on Thursday at least nine Palestinians, including an elderly woman, during a raid in the occupied West Bank, Palestinian sources said, amid escalating violence in the region. Photo: Xinhua

People mourn during a funeral of Palestinians killed by Israeli forces in the West Bank city of Jenin, on Jan. 26, 2023. Israeli forces killed on Thursday at least nine Palestinians, including an elderly woman, during a raid in the occupied West Bank, Palestinian sources said, amid escalating violence in the region. Photo: Xinhua

Palestinians take part in a demonstration following the killing of nine Palestinians by Israeli forces near the Gaza-Israel border, east of Gaza City, on Jan. 26, 2023. Israeli forces killed on Thursday at least nine Palestinians, including an elderly woman, during a raid in the occupied West Bank, Palestinian sources said, amid escalating violence in the region. Photo: Xinhua

People carry the bodies of Palestinians killed by Israeli forces during a funeral in the West Bank city of Jenin, on Jan. 26, 2023. Israeli forces killed on Thursday at least nine Palestinians, including an elderly woman, during a raid in the occupied West Bank, Palestinian sources said, amid escalating violence in the region. Photo: Xinhua