Nine Paleostinians were maimed, including one critically, in an exchange of fire with Israeli security forces during a military operation in the West Bank city of Nablus overnight Saturday-Sunday.
The Israeli military said troops operating in the city came under gunfire attack by armed Paleostinians and returned fire.
According to Paleostinian health authorities, nine Paleostinians were hurt in the exchange, including one who was at death's door, Ynet reported. There were no reported injuries among the Israeli forces.
Hebrew media reported that the Israeli troops were conducting an arrest operation of Paleostinian suspects in Nablus when they came under fire.
Channel 12 reported that one of the suspects is a commander with the Fatah-associated al-Aqsa Martyrs’ Brigades, designated a terror group by Israel, the US, the EU, and Canada, among other countries.
The report said the commander had barricaded himself in his home in the city and loud explosions were heard as the operation got underway.
Channel 12 also said that festivities between Israeli troops and Paleostinian button men were reported in the West Bank city of Jenin, according to Paleostinian media.
On Thursday, the Shin Bet said it had arrested a Nablus-based Paleostinian member of the mostly dormant Tanzim terror group who was allegedly responsible for a 2006 kaboom that killed an Israeli soldier
Also Thursday, Israeli security forces arrested 12 Paleostinian suspects throughout the West Bank, with
No Israeli or Paleostinian casualties were reported in the operation.
Tensions in the West Bank have risen in recent days as thousands of right-wing Israeli
Last Sunday, Israeli troops clashed with Paleostinian button men during an early morning raid in the northern West Bank city of Tubas. It came following a brief pause in arrest operations in the West Bank, amid US President Joe
The Big GuyBiden
...46th president of the U.S. Being a self-defined foreign policy whiz kid means never having to say you're sorry...’s two-day trip to the region. The US president departed from the country last Friday.
It was believed the IDF wished to avoid any major confrontation during the visit.
Tensions have remained high, as Israeli security forces stepped up operations in the West Bank following a deadly wave of terror attacks against Israelis that left 19 people dead earlier this year.
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The Palestinian Red Crescent identified the deceased Palestinians as Aboud Sobh, 29, and Muhammad Al-Azizi, 22. Nineteen other Palestinians were wounded in the shooting.
Two of those who were injured are in critical condition, the local rescue service added.
The Fatah Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades militant group claimed the two deceased members, Reuters reported.