Israel kills Islamic Jihad commander, West Bank fighting escalates

The Israeli military said it killed Muhhamad Jabber, also known as Abu Shujaa, the commander of a militant network in the Nur Shams refugee camp, in a "heavy gun battle" around a mosque in the city of Tulkarm, in which four other Palestinian militants were also killed.

The Tulkarm Division of the Islamic Jihad armed wing confirmed the commander's death, bringing the total number of Palestinians killed in the past two days to 17, and said militants had attacked Israeli forces near the Abu Ubaida mosque.

Israeli troops during a raid on the Nour Shams camp in Tulkarm, Israeli-occupied West Bank, August 29, 2024. Photo: Reuters

Israel's West Bank offensive began early Wednesday morning with hundreds of troops backed by helicopters, drones and armored vehicles raiding the flashpoint cities of Tulkarm, Jenin and areas in the Jordan Valley.

In Jenin, Israeli bulldozers rolled through deserted, trash-strewn streets as drones ripped through the sky. Israeli troops searched ambulances on the streets and in front of Jenin’s main hospital after blocking access to it on Wednesday.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said Israel’s large-scale military operations were “deeply worrying” and called for an immediate halt. In response, Israel’s UN Ambassador Danny Danon said the operations were aimed at “preventing terrorism”.

Clashes between Israeli forces and Palestinians in the West Bank have escalated since the Gaza war began nearly 11 months ago. According to Palestinian figures, more than 660 people - including militants and civilians - have been killed in the West Bank during that time.

Hoang Anh (according to Reuters, AJ)

Source: https://www.congluan.vn/israel-tieu-diet-chi-huy-thanh-chien-hoi-giao-chien-su-bo-tay-gia-tang-post309933.html