Israeli forces invaded the West Bank city of Ramallah early Thursday morning in what the military said was an operation to demolish the home of a Palestinian accused of a double bombing in Jerusalem last year.
According to the Palestinian Ministry of Health, at least 35 persons were wounded, including at least 20 by live ammunition. Two individuals sustained severe abdominal wounds, while a third was struck in the head by a rubber bullet.
A large military convoy reportedly arrived in downtown Ramallah, the capital of the Palestinian government in the occupied West Bank, causing hundreds of Palestinians to congregate in the area, as reported by a journalist.
The journalist reported that some Palestinian youths threw stones at Israeli soldiers. Who responded by firing live ammunition, stun grenades, and tear gas into the throng. Burning trash cans obstructed roads as ambulance sirens sounded.
Masked men murder five Arabs near Nazareth
The military said they shot people throwing petrol bombs and rocks. According to the report, a Palestinian photojournalist was struck by a rubber projectile, and the incident is being investigated.
The Israeli military also stated that its forces conducted the operation to demolish the residence of Islam Faroukh. Who was detained last year on suspicion of carrying out a deadly bombing attack in Jerusalem.
Two people, including an Israeli-Canadian teenager, were killed and at least 14 others were injured in the November attack, which police said involved coordinated explosions of improvised explosives planted at bus stops near the city’s exit and at a junction leading to a settlement.
slain at a car wash
On Thursday, police reported that five Arab Israelis were shot and killed at a car wash in the country’s north, amid the worst crime wave to strike the minority in years. The attack brought this year’s death toll of Israeli Arabs to 96.
Roni Halon, a correspondent for Nazareth-based Radio Nas, reported that the Yafia shooting occurred as a police helicopter searched for those responsible for the Kafr Kanna attack.
Halon said two motorcycle-riding camouflaged guys killed the car wash men with automatic rifles.
In response, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that Israel’s internal security agency Shin Bet would now assist the police in combating the community’s escalating criminal activity.
Police are searching Yafia, an Arab town west of Nazareth, seeking suspects after the gunshots.
Eli Levy, a police spokesman, told public broadcaster Kan from the crime site that “one person or more” opened fire on a group of men at a car wash.
According to a separate police official, the incident was probably part of a gang conflict.
Maher Khaliliya, Yafia municipal council president, called the shooting a “massacre” and accused police laxity.
Despite without knowing details, he said his community “stands united with the families of the victims.”
20% of Israel’s population are Arab Israelis, descendants of Palestinians who stayed after 1948.
He also stated on Thursday that he was “determined to stop this string of murders”. and “with the assistance of the Shin Bet.”
Typically, the Agency for internal security does not investigate illicit activity.
A 30-year-old male and a 3-year-old were shot on Thursday in the Arab hamlet of Kafr Kanna north of Nazareth. They have often complained about police inaction and discrimination.
On May 30, elected politicians, also Arab minority representatives protested in Jerusalem for more government security.
After discussing “solutions to the wave of murders in Arab society” with Arab MPs. Netanyahu announced a steering committee last week.
