3 Palestinians Killed in Clashes With Israeli Troops in Jenin
Israeli forces killed three Palestinians, including a 15-year-old boy, and injured at least 29 during an intense gun battle in the West Bank city of Jenin, Palestinian officials reported on Monday. The incident, involving the unusual deployment of Israeli attack helicopters, marks an escalation in the ongoing conflict that has engulfed the West Bank for over a year.
The victims were identified as 21-year-old Khaled Asasa, 29-year-old Qassam Abu Sariya, and Ahmed Saqr, aged 15. The Palestinian Health Ministry reported at least six people were critically injured.
The Israeli military stated their forces were attacked during an arrest operation and retaliated against Palestinian gunmen. Israeli media cited multiple injuries among their troops.
As it withdrew from the city, a military vehicle was hit by an explosive device, triggering the use of helicopters to cover the extraction, according to the Israeli army. Unverified footage from Jenin appeared to show an explosion targeting an Israeli armored vehicle, along with a military helicopter launching a rocket.
The deployment of an attack helicopter is a rare occurrence for the Israeli military, with media noting its first use since the Palestinian uprising in the early 2000s. Amid the surging violence, with 120 Palestinians killed this year, Jenin has emerged as a focal point of Palestinian combativeness. Israel continues to conduct near-nightly raids, leading to escalating Palestinian attacks against Israelis.
