Israeli Military Conducts Rare West Bank Air Strike, Killing Three Amid Escalating Tensions

Israel carried out a rare air strike in the occupied West Bank on Friday, resulting in the deaths of a Hamas operative and two accomplices. The strike targeted a car near Jenin in the northern West Bank, marking an unusual deployment of air power in a Palestinian territory that has been occupied by Israeli ground troops since 1967.

The Israeli military identified the targeted individual as Qais Bitawi, claiming he was involved in directing attacks against Israeli civilians and security forces, and maintained connections with Hamas members in Gaza and abroad. Hamas condemned the strike but refrained from claiming Mr Bitawi as a member.

Following the strike, the Palestine Red Crescent ambulance service reported that Israeli ground troops raided the location, briefly detaining medics and blocking them from transporting casualties to the hospital. The Israeli military did not immediately respond to this claim.

Defence Minister Israel Katz stated that the military intends to maintain a permanent presence in Jenin, highlighting the aggressive policies being pursued in the region. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu praised the army for successfully thwarting terrorists in the area.

Concurrently, separate Israeli strikes in Gaza killed at least five Palestinians on Friday, according to local health officials. These incidents included strikes near Deir Al Balah and Gaza City, while the Israeli military did not immediately provide comment on the Gaza operations.