4 days ago
Israeli Airstrike Kills Three in West Bank, Sparking Disputes
The Israeli military carried out an airstrike near Jenin in the West Bank.
Israel said the attack killed Qais Bitawi, whom it described as a Hamas operative, and two other people.
Israel said Bitawi helped plan, fund, and carry out attacks.
Hamas criticized the strike but did not say Bitawi belonged to the group.
Palestinian Islamic Jihad said Bitawi was one of its senior armed-wing members.
The Palestine Red Crescent Society said Israeli troops briefly detained medics at the scene.
Israel did not immediately respond to that claim.
The West Bank has also seen Israeli military raids and attacks by Israeli settlers.
In Gaza, Palestinian health officials said five more people died in three Israeli strikes on Friday.
Israel said an airstrike near Jenin killed Hamas operative Qais Bitawi and two accomplices.
Hamas condemned the strike and did not acknowledge Bitawi as a member.
Palestinian Islamic Jihad identified Bitawi as a senior operative in its armed wing.
The Palestine Red Crescent Society said troops detained medics and delayed the removal of casualties.
Palestinian health officials said separate Israeli strikes in Gaza killed five people on Friday.
- Who
- The Israeli military, Qais Bitawi, Hamas, Palestinian Islamic Jihad, Palestinian medics, and Gaza health officials.
- What
- An Israeli airstrike killed three people near Jenin, while separate strikes in Gaza reportedly killed five.
- Where
- Near Jenin in the northern West Bank, with additional strikes in Gaza, including Gaza City and near Deir al-Balah.
- When
- Friday; the articles do not provide a specific date.
- Why
- Israel said Bitawi was involved in directing, funding, and carrying out attacks against Israeli civilians and security forces.
Israeli Account
Palestinian Accounts
Identity of the target
Israeli Account
Israel said Qais Bitawi was a Hamas militant operative who directed, funded, and executed attacks against Israeli civilians and security forces.
Palestinian Accounts
Hamas condemned the strike without claiming Bitawi as a member, while Palestinian Islamic Jihad said he was a senior operative in its armed wing.
Treatment of medics
Israeli Account
The Israeli military did not immediately comment on the Palestine Red Crescent Society's account.
Palestinian Accounts
The Palestine Red Crescent Society said Israeli ground troops briefly detained medics and stopped them from transporting the wounded and dead.
Broader West Bank operations
Israeli Account
Israel says its military operations target militant strongholds.
Palestinian Accounts
Human Rights Watch accused Israel of war crimes and crimes against humanity over alleged forced expulsions; Israel denies committing those crimes.
Key facts
- West Bank deaths
- Three people were killed in the strike near Jenin, according to Israel and Palestinian medics.
- Israeli target
- The Israeli military identified the target as Qais Bitawi.
- Target affiliation
- Israel described Bitawi as a Hamas operative; Hamas did not claim him, while Palestinian Islamic Jihad called him a senior operative.
- Strike location
- The strike hit a car in the area of Jenin in the northern West Bank.
- Red Crescent account
- The Palestine Red Crescent Society said ground troops detained medics briefly and prevented them from transporting casualties.
- Gaza deaths
- Gaza health officials said five Palestinians were killed in three Israeli strikes on Friday.
- Wider West Bank operations
- Israeli operations in the northern West Bank during 2025 forced thousands of Palestinians from their homes, according to the article.
Sources
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