Three Palestinians Shot Dead By Israeli Soldiers In West Bank

The Israeli military when it invaded the Jenin area, West Bank. (Wikimedia Commons/IDF Spokesperson's Unit)

JAKARTA - Three Palestinians were shot dead by the Israeli military in the occupied northern West Bank, adding to the death toll in a spike in violence in the region since early last year.

"Three Palestinians have been killed by Israeli bullets in Nablus," the Palestinian Ministry of Health said on Tuesday, adding that the identities of those killed were still unknown.

Palestinian media described the killings as an ambush following alleged Palestinian attacks on Israeli forces near Jewish settlements overlooking Nablus.

Palestinian TV showed footage of a military vehicle blocking access to the scene, including an ambulance, when soldiers appeared to be conducting checks.

Meanwhile, the Israeli military said three "armed terrorists" had opened fire on their troops from a vehicle in the Nablus neighborhood, which was responded with gunfire "to neutralize" them.

In addition, the Israeli military said it confiscated three M16 rifles and other equipment from the car it was traveling in.

Separately, congratulating the army via Twitter, Defense Minister Yoav Gallant said the incident occurred on Mount Gerizim, a Samaria settlement overlooking Nablus.

It is known that Nablus himself is the commercial capital of the region, as well as the main focus of Israeli military attacks.

While the occupied West Bank is currently experiencing a period of escalating violence, marked by repeated Israeli attacks showing no signs of easing.

Earlier this month, Israel attacked Jenin refugee camps with drones and missiles, while hundreds of troops stormed the area. As a result, twelve Palestinians, including three children, were killed, along with one Israeli soldier.

So far, the number of Palestinians killed this year in occupied Palestinian territories, including East Jerusalem and Gaza, is more than 200, with most of the casualties recorded in the occupied West Bank.