Israeli bombings in the occupied West Bank killed eight Palestinians on Wednesday, according to the Palestinian health ministry and the Red Crescent, while the Israeli military confirmed air raids in two areas.
The military said in a statement that its soldiers were conducting a “counter-terrorism operation” in the northern West Bank’s Tubas district, followed by a separate strike on Tulkarem, both of which were targeted in large Israeli operations last month.
In Tubas, a witness told AFP that Israeli forces were “storming the city” and the adjoining village of Tamun early Wednesday.
The army reported exchanges of fire and an air strike that killed five militants who “posed a threat” to soldiers.
According to the Palestinian Red Crescent Society, five Palestinians were murdered “as a result of Israeli air strikes” in Tubas. Spokesman Ahmed Jibril told AFP that the drone fire struck near a mosque before daybreak.
According to the IDF, an Israeli aircraft “struck and eliminated a terrorist cell consisting of five terrorists armed with explosives who posed a threat to the forces”.
It also stated that numerous people were captured during the raid, and an explosives-rigged vehicle was disassembled.
Israel conducted a massive “counter-terrorism” attack at the end of August, causing severe destruction throughout the northern West Bank, including the Tubas area.
An Israeli air attack in Tubas last week killed five individuals, according to Palestinian doctors, with the IDF claiming it had targeted “armed terrorists” including a local militant leader.
Later on Wednesday, the Palestinian health ministry reported three deaths in Tulkarem city “as a result of an Israeli air strike on a vehicle,” adding that the bodies had been transferred to a local hospital. The Red Crescent reported the same figure.
The Israeli military stated its air force “conducted an aerial strike during the counter-terrorism operation” in Tulkarem, but did not specify the target or report casualties.
Israel has occupied the West Bank since 1967, and its lethal raids have increased since Hamas’ October 7 strike on southern Israel launched the Gaza conflict.
According to the Palestinian health ministry, at least 665 Palestinians have been murdered in the West Bank by Israeli forces or settlers since October 7.
According to Israeli sources, at least 24 Israelis, including security forces, were killed in Palestinian attacks on Israeli territory during the same time period.