Two Palestinians Killed in West Bank Clashes

Facts

• According to the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) on Thursday, a gunfight erupted between Israeli troops and Palestinians after the soldiers identified a 'suspicious vehicle' near Shufa village, in the Tulkarem area of the West Bank. Two Palestinian men were killed in the shootout.¹
• The military added that the raid, which was carried out at the Tulkarem refugee camp, also resulted in the injuries of five border police officers. Hamas has claimed the two Palestinian men killed as its members.²
• While shooting toward Israeli settlements is a common retaliation from Palestinians after IDF raids, the men killed are accused of shooting at an Israeli settler on a motorcycle.¹
• Israel has conducted operations over the past 18 months in a campaign it says is intended to root out Palestinian resistance fighters and thwart future attacks.¹
• So far this year, nearly 200 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces in the West Bank — the highest death toll in years — while Palestinian attacks against Israel have led to more than 30 deaths.³

Sources: ¹Al Jazeera, ²Associated Press and ³Abc news.

Narratives

• Pro-Palestine, as provided by Middle east eye. The exponential increase in violence against Palestinians, as well as the growing willingness of Israelis to turn a blind eye, is the result of a long and painful history. This is just another example of heavy-handed military tactics by the IDF against the Palestinian people.
• Pro-Israel narrative, as provided by The times of israel. In this situation, the IDF was under attack by Palestinian terrorists throwing explosive devices. Military operations by Israeli forces in the West Bank are important counter-terrorism operations that are vital to national security.

Predictions