In a disturbing turn of events, Israeli forces reportedly shot and killed six Palestinians during a raid on a refugee camp in the northern part of the Israeli-occupied West Bank, as confirmed by the Palestinian health ministry. The ministry revised an earlier toll, now indicating that five individuals were initially reported dead. The victims, not identified by name, were said to have been fatally shot “by bullets from the occupation (Israel)” in the Al-Fara refugee camp near Tubas.
Details surrounding the incident remain unclear, as the Israeli army has yet to respond to requests for comment. According to the official Palestinian news agency Wafa, clashes intensified as Israeli forces entered the camp, facing resistance amidst intense gunfire and explosions.
The recent violence adds to a series of confrontations between Israeli forces and Palestinians, particularly since the outset of Israel’s conflict with Gaza. Earlier in the week, the Palestinian health ministry reported the deaths of four Palestinians, including two teenagers, in multiple Israeli army raids across the West Bank, which has been under Israeli occupation since 1967.
The Palestinian Authority has been vocal about the toll of Israeli actions in the West Bank, asserting that at least 263 Palestinians have lost their lives since October 7. This figure surpasses last year’s death toll of 155, marking the highest annual count since 2005.
Notably, last month witnessed a significant escalation when 14 Palestinians were killed in a single Israeli raid in the city of Jenin, according to Palestinian health ministry records—a grim milestone not seen since 2005, as documented by the United Nations.
Meanwhile, as tensions persist in the West Bank, Israel continues its aggressive air and ground invasion of Gaza. The Palestinian health ministry reports a staggering death toll of nearly 17,200, predominantly comprising women and children. On Thursday, Israeli jetfighters targeted Khan Younis, prompting a mass exodus of thousands of Palestinians to the south, complicating aid efforts and exacerbating an already dire humanitarian situation. Many remain displaced within the city, unable to flee, underscoring the gravity of the ongoing conflict and its profound impact on civilian populations.
