Israeli forces intensified their operations in the occupied West Bank, resulting in the death of a Palestinian teenager and injuries to nine others. The escalation underscores the deepening crisis as raids across the region continue to target refugee camps, sparking violent confrontations.
Teenager Killed in Balata Refugee Camp
Eighteen-year-old Muhammad Medhat Amin Amer was fatally shot during an Israeli military raid in the Balata refugee camp near Nablus. The operation began Friday night, with Israeli forces deploying snipers on rooftops and engaging in clashes with camp residents. The Palestinian Ministry of Health confirmed his death and reported that nine others were critically injured.
The Israeli military claimed they targeted “terrorists” who allegedly hurled explosives, Molotov cocktails, and fireworks at their forces. However, local residents described the operation as a violent incursion that left civilians in fear.
Escalation of Violence in the West Bank
The West Bank has witnessed heightened violence since October 2023, when the Gaza conflict escalated following Hamas-led attacks. According to Palestinian authorities, over 815 Palestinians have been killed in the West Bank since then, while Israeli figures report 25 deaths from Palestinian attacks during the same period.
Elsewhere, in the town of Tuqu near Bethlehem, a Palestinian child suffered eye injuries from bullet fragments during another Israeli raid. Similar operations occurred in Hebron, where soldiers set up checkpoints, removed Palestinian flags, and cordoned off areas in refugee camps.
Read: Israeli Airstrikes in Gaza Claim 54 Lives
Humanitarian Impact
The increasing raids have deepened the humanitarian crisis in the West Bank. Residents face constant fear as Israeli forces intensify their presence. Refugee camps, including Balata and others, remain the epicenters of violent confrontations, with civilians bearing the brunt of the clashes.
In addition to Israeli military operations, the Palestinian Authority (PA) has conducted its own raids, targeting armed resistance groups in Jenin. This has led to internal clashes, with both civilians and PA security personnel killed.
Clashes in Jenin
The Jenin refugee camp has become a flashpoint for violence, with the PA and local armed groups accusing each other of responsibility for civilian deaths. On Friday, a father and son were killed during clashes, with their family blaming the PA. However, PA security forces denied involvement, instead attributing the violence to armed fighters in the camp.
Armed groups, such as the Jenin Battalion, have accused the PA of killing at least 16 civilians since October 2023. In a recent incident, a member of the Palestinian General Intelligence Service, Major Rashid Shaqo, was killed, which the PA described as an accidental incident.
A Region on Edge
The West Bank remains volatile, with Israeli raids, PA operations, and internal clashes exacerbating tensions. The situation in refugee camps like Balata and Jenin illustrates the deepening crisis, with civilians caught in the crossfire. As violence continues to escalate, calls for international intervention grow louder.
Follow Day News on Google News, Instagram, YouTube, Facebook, Whats App, and TikTok for latest updates
