Jerusalem, Aug 3 (EFE).- Nine Palestinians were killed on Saturday in two separate Israeli drone strikes in the northern West Bank, the Israeli army said.
Israel first struck “five terrorists in a vehicle” who were “on their way to carry out a terror attack” near the town of Qaffin on Saturday morning, the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) said in a statement.
Israeli troops also conducted “counterterrorism activity” in nearby Tulkarem, during which they “eliminated a terrorist cell”, killing “four terrorists” who had been “identified as shooting” at Israeli forces, the IDF said.
Since the Gaza war began, Tulkarem has become one of the main hotbeds of violence in the West Bank.
The occupied West Bank is experiencing its worst spiral of violence since the Second Intifada uprising (2000-05).
So far in 2024, some 264 Palestinians in the West Bank have been killed by Israeli fire, mostly militants but also civilians, including at least 50 children, according to EFE’s tally.
Last year ended as the deadliest in two decades with more than 520 people killed.
The Israeli army stepped up its already frequent incursions into the West Bank following the Hamas attack on southern Israel on Oct. 7, and since then at least 604 Palestinians have been killed in violent incidents with Israel – including at least 144 minors – mainly involving troops and a dozen at the hands of settlers.
On the Israeli side, 18 people have been killed this year as part of the conflict, mostly in Palestinian attacks: 11 uniformed personnel and seven civilians, including five settlers. EFE
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