3 Palestinians killed by Israeli army in West Bank, bringing recent death toll to 67

By Qais Abu Samra

RAMALLAH, Palestine (AA) – Three Palestinians were shot dead by Israeli forces in the West Bank, including two teenagers, bringing the death toll in the occupied territory since Oct. 7 to 67, the Health Ministry said on Thursday.

A ministry statement said a 16-year-old was shot in the head in Tulkarem, while a 32-year-old man was shot in the chest in the town of Budrus west of Ramallah.

The ministry said a 17-year-old Palestinian also lost his life to a bullet in the head in the Dheisheh refugee camp in Bethlehem.

The new fatalities brought to 67 the number of Palestinians killed by Israeli fire in the West Bank since Oct. 7, the start of the current hostilities.

Tension has escalated across the Palestinian territories amid a massive Israeli air campaign on the Gaza Strip following a cross-border attack by Palestinian group Hamas into Israeli border towns.

The conflict in Gaza, under Israeli bombardment and blockade since Oct. 7, began when Hamas initiated Operation Al-Aqsa Flood, a multi-pronged surprise attack that included a barrage of rocket launches and infiltrations into Israel by land, sea, and air. It said the incursion was in retaliation for the storming of the Al-Aqsa Mosque and growing violence by Israeli settlers.

The Israeli military then launched Operation Swords of Iron against Hamas targets in the Gaza Strip.

Gaza is experiencing a dire humanitarian crisis with no electricity, while water, food, fuel, and medical supplies are running out.

UN chief Antonio Guterres has called for an “immediate humanitarian ceasefire” to ease the “epic human suffering.”

At least 3,478 Palestinians have been killed in Israeli attacks on Gaza, while the figure stands at more than 1,400 people in Israel.