Israeli forces killed three Palestinians in a raid near Jenin on Tuesday. Police described them as members of a “terrorist cell.” The operation took place in the village of Kfar Qud and involved the army and Yamam, the elite counterterrorism police unit.
Israeli police said the cell was planning an attack and operated from the Jenin refugee camp. Forces spotted the militants emerging from a cave. Snipers fired precisely, killing all three members of the cell. Later, the army conducted an airstrike on the cave to destroy the hideout.
Read more: Israeli airstrike kills 11 displaced Palestinians in Gaza
Defence Minister Israel Katz praised the operation. He warned that Israel would crush any attempt to rebuild terrorist infrastructure in the West Bank. Katz said he ordered the army to take all necessary measures on land and from the air to eliminate threats.
Violence in the occupied West Bank has surged since the war in Gaza began after Hamas’s October 7, 2023 attack on Israel. Tens of thousands of Palestinians have been displaced, and dozens of homes and buildings demolished. The region has remained tense despite a ceasefire mediated by the U.S., Egypt, and Qatar on October 10.
Read more: Israel Breaks Gaza Ceasefire, Kills 11 Members of One Family
Since the war started, at least 988 Palestinians have been killed in the West Bank by Israeli forces or settlers. During the same period, 43 Israelis, including soldiers, were killed in Palestinian attacks. Over 500,000 Israelis live in settlements in the occupied territory, which Israel has controlled since 1967.