Palestinian officials reported that an Israeli military raid in the occupied West Bank resulted in the deaths of at least three individuals. The Palestinian Health Ministry confirmed that two Palestinians were killed in an Israeli strike, while a third individual was fatally shot by Israeli gunfire. The Israeli military stated that its forces were targeting militants in the Nur Shams refugee camp area, which has been a site of ongoing conflict in recent months. The military claimed to have eliminated a Hamas militant involved in planning attacks on Israelis.
Simultaneously, Israeli police announced the arrest of a couple accused of spying on Israeli intelligence sites and gathering information on an Israeli academic on behalf of Iran. This development comes amidst escalating tensions between the two nations, with both engaging in a shadow war that has intensified since the outbreak of conflict in Gaza.
Hezbollah's newly appointed leader, Naim Kassem, declared that the militant group will continue fighting in its war with Israel until acceptable cease-fire terms are proposed. Efforts by mediators to de-escalate the conflicts in Lebanon and the Gaza Strip are underway, with new proposals being circulated to mitigate the regional turmoil.
In Lebanon, an estimated 1.2 million individuals have been displaced due to the ongoing conflict, with over 2,800 fatalities and 12,900 injuries reported since Hezbollah initiated rocket attacks into Israel in October 2023, prompting Israeli retaliation. In Gaza, the death toll from the Israel-Hamas war has surpassed 43,000, with no distinction made between civilians and combatants. The conflict began when Hamas-led militants breached Israeli borders, resulting in numerous casualties and abductions.
Since the Gaza conflict's onset, at least 763 Palestinians, including over 165 children, have been killed by Israeli forces in the West Bank. The casualties include militants targeted during military operations, as well as civilian bystanders and individuals caught in violent protests. Palestinians have carried out various attacks against Israelis, including stabbings, shootings, and car-rammings, further escalating tensions in the region.
The West Bank, captured by Israel in the 1967 Mideast war, remains a focal point of contention, with Palestinians aspiring for it to constitute a significant part of their envisioned state. The territory is home to over 500,000 Israeli settlers residing in numerous settlements, while the Palestinian population of 3 million endures Israeli military control, with limited self-governance exercised by the Palestinian Authority in urban centers.
