IDF troops conducting an arrest raid in the West Bank town of Kalkilya opened fire at a crowd of Palestinian rioters, killing three people and wounding more than 30 others, according to Israeli and Palestinian officials. The army said a crowd of some 200 rioters confronted the soldiers shortly after they arrived in the town of Kalkilya late Friday and surrounded a home. Palestinian officials said a wanted Hamas operative was inside the home. The army said the crowd attacked the soldiers with rocks and firebombs, and the soldiers responded with warning shots and live fire. A firefight with Palestinian gunmen followed, the army said. The army said it received reports from Palestinian medics that two rioters were killed and 11 wounded.
Palestinian hospital officials said more than 30 people were wounded, including two people in critical condition. Another person died of his wounds late Friday. Palestinian witnesses said larger numbers of troops were moving into Kalkilya as the operation continued, and IDF bulldozers had destroyed part of the surrounded home.