Israeli Airstrikes Kill 5 People In The West Bank Including Hamas Commander

JAKARTA - Israeli airstrikes killed a Hamas group commander riding a vehicle in the West Bank. Meanwhile, the Palestinian news agency WAFA said four other men were also killed.

Another victim's identity is not yet known, according to a WAFA report citing health officials.

Reported by Reuters on Saturday, August 3, the Israeli military said it was launching airstrikes against militant cells around the city of Tulkarem, West Bank.

Hamas media said the vehicle carrying the fighter was hit by an airstrike and one of the commanders of the Tulkarm brigade was killed.

Violence in the West Bank escalated before the Israeli-Hamas war in Gaza began on October 7 and has continued to escalate since then, with frequent Israeli attacks on the region.

Tensions across the region escalated this week after the assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh, in Tehran on Wednesday, a day after an Israeli attack in Beirut killed senior military commander Hezbollah Fuad Shukr.

Haniyeh's death was one of a series of killings of senior Hamas figures as the war in Gaza between Palestinian militants and Israel approached its 11th month and fears of increasing conflict spread throughout the Middle East.

Hamas and Iran both accused Israel of the killings and promised to retaliate against their enemies.

Israel has not claimed or denied responsibility for the death.

Hezbollah, like Hamas, also vowed revenge.