An Israeli military operation in the Balata refugee camp near Nablus sparked a firefight with Palestinian militants, resulting in the death of a 19-year-old Palestinian man named Faris al-Hashash. Palestinian residents reported that the Israeli forces surrounded a building in the camp, encountering resistance from militants who used firearms, explosives, and stones. The Israeli military later withdrew without making any arrests, and there has been no official statement regarding the raid.
Following the withdrawal, celebrations broke out in the camp, with residents cheering the apparent escape of wanted militant Issam al-Salaj, who was believed to be the target of the operation. A separate incident occurred southwest of Jenin, where a drive-by shooting injured at least four Israelis. Emergency services responded and transported the victims to the hospital. The perpetrator fled the scene, prompting a search in the surrounding area. No group has claimed responsibility for the attack at this time.
These events are the latest in a series of violent incidents that have plagued the West Bank and East Jerusalem for over a year. According to reports, at least 119 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces in these areas since the beginning of 2023, with nearly half allegedly affiliated with militant groups. During the same period, Palestinian attacks have claimed the lives of 21 people in Israel and the West Bank. The West Bank, East Jerusalem, and Gaza were captured by Israel in the 1967 Six-Day War and remain central to the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
