Israeli security forces reported that three Palestinians were killed during a military operation near Jenin in the occupied West Bank on Tuesday. According to a joint statement from the army, police, and Shin Bet security agency, the incident occurred in the village of Qabatiya when undercover border police attempted to arrest a wanted individual.
The statement explained that Israeli forces came under fire from a building where the suspect, Raed Hanaysha, was hiding. In the ensuing exchange of fire, Hanaysha and two other militants were killed. The Israeli army seized weapons from the scene and destroyed two bomb-making labs while continuing operations in the area.
Local officials confirmed that the bodies of the three individuals were in Israeli custody. Kamal Abu al-Rub, the local governor, stated that the bodies were being held by Israeli authorities. The Palestinian health ministry later confirmed the deaths, identifying the victims as young men aged between 24 and 32. Hanaysha was noted for his alleged involvement in recent attacks on Israeli forces, including shootings and bombings.
This escalation in violence follows a surge in tensions in the West Bank since the onset of the Gaza conflict on October 7, 2023. According to the health ministry in Ramallah, over 770 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces in the West Bank since the start of the war. In turn, Palestinian attacks have also resulted in the deaths of at least 24 Israelis during the same period.
