At Least 6 Palestinians Killed by Israeli Forces

Facts

• Palestinian health officials said on Wednesday that six Palestinians had been killed in a 24-hour period after Israeli troops conducted raids in the West Bank and confronted demonstrators in Gaza. At least three of those killed were claimed as Palestinian fighters.¹
• This figure doesn't include a casualty reported by the Palestine chapter of Geneva-based Defense for Children International (DCIP), which claimed that during a Jenin raid, Israeli forces shot and killed 15-year-old Rafat Omar Ahmad Khamayseh after he spotted Israeli troops operating in Jenin and tried to alert residents of their presence. However, this information wasn't independently verified.²
• Israeli forces entered the refugee camp of Jenin to conduct a short raid Tuesday night, wounding dozens and killing four. Israeli forces also conducted a raid into the Aqabat Jabr refugee camp in Jericho, killing one.³
• The Israeli military also claimed that its troops had launched an operation in Hebron and numerous other Palestinian towns, arresting 12 suspects and seizing numerous weapons and ammunition. A raid in Qatanna, outside Jerusalem, led to light clashes with the town's residents – who reportedly threw bricks and shot fireworks at Israeli forces.⁴
• Israel's Defense Minister Yoav Gallant said that the raids were 'necessary' to 'thwart terrorist activities,' while Jenin's director of the Palestinian Red Crescent reported the clashes impeded rescuers' access to the site of the violence. Jenin's deputy governor said the Israeli army had 'targeted a house used as a hideout by a wanted Palestinian.'⁵
• Unrest in Gaza has recently surged, with Palestinians in the embargoed strip throwing rocks and explosives at Israeli troops guarding the border fence, who have responded with tear gas and gunfire. One demonstrator was reportedly shot and killed by Israeli forces on Tuesday.⁶

Sources: ¹Associated Press, ²Al Jazeera, ³The national, ⁴The times of israel, ⁵France 24 and ⁶Al.

Narratives

• Pro-Palestine, as provided by Middle east eye. Israeli incursions are only meant to provoke Palestinian residents who are growing increasingly frustrated with the daily brutality of the occupation under which they live. The goal of these raids is to terrorize the Palestinian population and to make sure that nowhere is safe. In addition to this, Israel has blocked one of the only official entrances into Gaza, worsening an already dire humanitarian situation.
• Pro-Israel, as provided by Jerusalem post. Israel only launches these raids to prevent Palestinian terror attacks against Israeli civilians. The Israeli military does everything it can to avoid civilian casualties, but Israeli forces have been forced to use live ammunition after being attacked or fired upon by Palestinian militants. As terrorist groups like Hamas openly threaten attacks on Tel Aviv, Israeli forces will remain vigilant.