TULKAREM, Dec 25, (V7N) – A deadly Israeli military raid in the occupied West Bank has claimed the lives of eight Palestinians, including two women, according to the Palestinian health ministry.

The raid, which targeted the Tulkarem and Nur Shams refugee camps, resulted in widespread destruction, with bulldozers reportedly demolishing roads. Among the victims were Khawla Ali Abdullah Abdo (53), Bara Khalid Hussein (30), and Fathi Said Awda Ubaid (18), who was fatally shot in the chest and abdomen.

The Israeli military confirmed that its operation aimed to "eliminate a terrorist" in close combat but did not clarify the identity of the individual referenced.

Escalating Violence

The incident adds to the growing toll of violence in the West Bank since the Gaza conflict erupted in October 2023. According to the Palestinian health ministry, at least 811 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces or settlers in the West Bank during this period, while 25 Israelis have died in Palestinian attacks, based on Israeli official data.

Israel has maintained control over the West Bank since the 1967 Arab-Israeli War, and the region has seen recurrent clashes between Israeli forces and Palestinians.

This latest incident underscores the mounting tensions and the continuing cycle of violence in the area, further complicating prospects for peace.

END/WD/RH