The Israeli military carried out a series of raids across the occupied West Bank overnight into early Tuesday, killing at least three Palestinians whom the army claimed were “militants,” according to AP.
The operations came a day after a deadly shooting attack on a bus carrying Israeli civilians. The attack resulted in the deaths of two women in their 70s and a 35-year-old policeman.
According to the Israeli army, two Palestinians were killed in an airstrike after they fired at Israeli troops in Tamun, a town in the northern area of the West Bank.
Another Palestinian was killed in close-quarters combat in the nearby village of Taluza. An Israeli soldier was also reported to be severely wounded during these operations. More than 20 suspected Palestinians were arrested.
Hamas group confirmed the death of one of its senior commanders, Jaafar Dababsah, who was reportedly killed by Israeli forces amid two raids.
The Israeli military stated that these raids were unrelated to the bus shooting incident on Monday.
The West Bank has seen an ongoing cycle of violence, with Palestinians carrying out multiple shooting, stabbing, and car-ramming attacks against Israelis, particularly as conflict between Israel and Hamas in Palestine continues.
Since October 7, 2023, nearly 750 Palestinians have been killed in the occupied West Bank, including East Jerusalem, according to UNRWA.