Iruni Kalupahana, JadeTimes Staff
I. Kalupahana is a Jadetimes news reporter covering Israel-Gaza War
The Palestinian Ministry of Health confirmed the killing of 25 year old Adham Zayed Ezzat Masri during an Israeli raid in the West Bank town of Aqqaba, which occurred at dawn on Saturday. The Israeli forces reportedly surrounded Masri's family home before the fatal confrontation. Following the incident, his body was held by the Israeli military, sparking anger and grief among residents.
Aqqaba, situated in the northwestern Tubas governorate, has recently seen an increase in military activity, adding to regional tensions amid ongoing confrontations between Israeli forces and Palestinian communities in the occupied territories.
Civilian Casualties and Injuries During the Raid
The raid also led to severe injuries among other Palestinian civilians. A 50 year old man was critically injured by live fire and was immediately taken to a nearby hospital, where his condition remains serious. Another resident, a 49 year old man, sustained bruises during the operation.
The raid involved the deployment of Israeli military vehicles, including a bulldozer, which entered Aqqaba from the eastern checkpoints. Witnesses reported that the heavy military presence and use of force during the early morning hours heightened fears among local residents, who were reportedly subjected to intense house searches and detentions.
Armed Confrontations and Israeli Military Investigation
As the Israeli forces advanced through Aqqaba, local sources reported that armed confrontations broke out between Israeli soldiers and Palestinian residents, escalating the situation. Homes within the town were reportedly surrounded, with military forces blocking certain areas to prevent movement.
The Israeli military has since stated that it is investigating the circumstances of the raid and the casualties involved. This incident underscores the rising frequency of violent clashes in the West Bank, where raids and countermeasures are contributing to an intensifying cycle of conflict between Israeli forces and Palestinian residents.
