Chris Lange, FISM News
Five suspected members of Hamas were killed and two Israeli soldiers were critically injured during a raid by Israeli troops on Monday morning, marking the deadliest day in the ongoing conflict between Palestine and Israel since a cease-fire was agreed to in May.
The Israel Defense Force tweeted that the clash was part of their continued attempt to prevent terrorist attacks on Israeli citizens:
Last night, based on accurate intelligence, IDF, ISA & “Yamam” forces operated in Judea & Samaria to stop Hamas terrorists from carrying out attacks against Israeli civilians.
During the operation, two IDF soldiers were seriously injured.
We will continue to keep Israel safe.
— Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) September 26, 2021
The Israeli Army’s actions drew praise from Prime Minister Naftali Bennett, who said that the attacks were in response to intel that the militants were planning to carry out an imminent attack.
The Palestinian Authority condemned the attacks calling them “crimes committed by the occupation forces.” Hamas called on those in the West Bank “to escalate the resistance against the occupier at all points of contact” in response.
In a related incident, Palestine’s Ministry of Health reported that a 28-year-old Palestinian man was killed by the Israeli Army during a demonstration against Israel’s settlement expansion near the West Bank city of Nablus. According to the report, the victim, identified as Mohammed Ali Khabisa, received a single gunshot wound to the head during ongoing protests against Israelis on the lands of Beita village.
“We are aware of reports that a Palestinian was killed,” said an Israeli Army spokesperson, adding “The incident is under investigation.” The Israeli military has not confirmed that troops opened fire on protesters.
The incidents mark the latest in ongoing clashes over an Israeli settlement outpost in the villages of Beita and Beit Dajan. Palestinians living in the contested area claim that the expansion of the Eviatar outpost threatens their farmland.
Israel captured the West Bank during the Middle East war of 1967, which Palestinians claim belongs to them. The area is considered sacred by Israelis, where many of their ancestors are buried. Violence erupted in the area following the breakdown of U.S.-sponsored talks between the Palestinians and Israel in 2014.