Israeli Airstrike In West Bank Kills Two Palestinians

An Israeli airstrike in the occupied West Bank city of Tubas killed two Palestinians on Monday, according to the Palestinian health ministry. The two men, aged 26 and 32, were killed by Israeli shelling in northern Tubas. The Israeli military confirmed that its aircraft targeted and killed “several armed individuals” during an operation aimed at apprehending a wanted suspect and disrupting terrorist infrastructure. Weapons were reportedly confiscated in a post-strike raid.

This attack follows a week after the Israeli army besieged Tubas Hospital, entered the premises, and reportedly shot inside, assaulted staff and patients, and made several arrests. The army stated its soldiers were surrounding the hospital to collect bodies of militants, but did not enter the facility. However, AFP journalists witnessed Israeli soldiers leaving the hospital while detaining staff, some in medical attire, and loading them into armored vehicles.

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Violence in the West Bank has escalated since the Gaza war began on October 7 last year. The Palestinian health ministry reports that at least 790 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli troops or settlers in the West Bank since then, while Palestinian attacks on Israelis have claimed the lives of at least 24 people in the same period. Israel has occupied the West Bank since 1967.