In a disturbing escalation, three Palestinians were fatally shot on Sunday by Israeli Special Forces in the city of Jenin.
According to press reports, these Israeli forces, part of the “Yamam” special police unit, were targeting what they alleged to be a Palestinian cell planning operations against Israeli targets.
Israel’s “Kan” channel reported that moments before the incident, a “Yamam” unit had neutralized an armed group near Jenin. Avichai Adraee, the spokesperson for the Israeli Defense Forces, confirmed the neutralization of an armed group in the Jenin region but refrained from offering immediate additional details.
Meanwhile, in a broader context highlighting tensions, the head of Israel’s internal security service “Shin Bet,” Ronin Bar, warned Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu about the dangers of Israeli settler extremism. He emphasized that such actions could intensify Palestinian reactions and foster further unrest in areas like the West Bank and occupied Jerusalem. Citing potential geopolitical implications, Bar indicated that entities like Hezbollah and Iran might perceive Israel’s internal strife as a point of vulnerability.
The Shin Bet leader further commented on the potential beneficiaries of settler-driven aggression, naming Palestinian factions Hamas and Islamic Jihad. He suggested these groups might be emboldened, even hinting at possible abduction scenarios involving settlers wandering into Palestinian villages.
Bar’s statements came on the heels of a shooting in Tel Aviv just yesterday, where an Israeli security personnel was killed, and two others injured, along with the perpetrator of the act.
Furthermore, the past week also saw the Israeli military announce the death of a Palestinian near the “Ma’ale Adumim” settlement, close to Jerusalem. As reported by “Yedioth Ahronoth,” this individual, reportedly disguised as a municipal worker, allegedly targeted Israelis near a commercial establishment.
