Israeli army withdraws from Nablus after brutal military operation in West Bank city

By Qais Abu Samra and Betul Yilmaz

NABLUS, Palestine / ISTANBUL (AA) - The Israeli army withdrew from the northern West Bank city of Nablus on Wednesday after nearly 28 hours of a military operation that resulted in the death of two people and injuries to dozens.

Witnesses told Anadolu that the army pulled out from Nablus after killing two civilians, injuring more than 80, and damaging several houses and shops.

The Palestinian Health Ministry said it was informed by the General Authority of Civil Affairs – the official Palestinian liaison with Israel – that brothers Nidal Ameira, 40, and Khaled Ameira, 35, were killed by Israeli gunfire in Nablus during an Israeli raid.

The Israeli army raided the city from several directions, besieging the Old City of Nablus. Several houses and shops were searched in the area, and a number of Palestinians were detained, witnesses added.

A former Palestinian prisoner was also killed in a raid on Tubas city on Tuesday, according to the official Palestine TV.

Since the start of Israel’s assault on Gaza on Oct. 7, 2023, 977 Palestinians have been killed and more than 7,000 injured in the West Bank by Israeli forces and settlers, the Palestinian Health Ministry said.

In a landmark opinion last July, the International Court of Justice declared Israel’s occupation of Palestinian territory illegal and called for the evacuation of all settlements in the West Bank and East Jerusalem.