By Awad Rjoob
RAMALLAH, Palestine (AA) – A total of 83 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli army gunfire in the occupied West Bank since Oct. 7, according to the Health Ministry.
According to the ministry, the latest casualties were two Palestinian boys – 15-year-old Suhaib Iyad Muhammad Al-Sous in the town of Beitunia and 17-year-old Uday Fawaz Mansour in the town of Huwara.
The Palestinian Red Crescent Society announced in a statement that its crews "dealt on Friday with dozens of casualties in confrontations with the Israeli army in various governorates of the West Bank, including 24 injuries by live bullets."
The West Bank is witnessing rising tension and field confrontations between Palestinians and the Israeli army, coinciding with the deterioration of the situation in the Gaza Strip.
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.
At least 4,137 Palestinians have been killed in Israeli attacks on Gaza, while the figure stands at more than 1,400 people in Israel.
* Writing by Ikram Kouachi