Two Israeli soldiers were killed in a shooting incident at a security checkpoint in the northern occupied West Bank on Tuesday. The attack occurred at the Tayasir checkpoint, located near Jenin, where a Palestinian gunman opened fire before being shot dead by Israeli forces.
According to the Israeli army, the assailant was armed with an M-16 automatic rifle and targeted a soldier exiting a fortified bunker. This led to a gunfight that lasted several minutes. In addition to the fatalities, eight soldiers sustained injuries during the confrontation, as reported by the Israeli ambulance service.
This incident comes amid a period of heightened tensions in the West Bank, particularly in the Jenin governorate, where Israeli military operations have intensified. These operations have been characterized by significant raids in various areas, including the Jenin refugee camp and Tulkarem. Since the beginning of the year, at least 70 Palestinians have been killed, with 44 fatalities occurring during the latest Israeli military campaign.
The Israeli military launched a large-scale offensive named “Iron Wall” last month, following a ceasefire agreement in Gaza. In response to the ongoing violence, Israel has increased security measures, establishing new checkpoints and tightening restrictions at existing ones. Currently, there are at least 900 checkpoints and barriers throughout the West Bank, severely affecting the movement of Palestinian communities.
The situation in the Jenin refugee camp has drawn particular concern from humanitarian organizations. The UN agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA) has described conditions in the camp as deteriorating rapidly due to Israeli military operations that have destroyed several buildings. Reports indicate that a significant portion of the camp has been devastated, leading to severe humanitarian challenges for the residents.
Doctors Without Borders has condemned the escalation of violence in the region, highlighting that since the ceasefire in Gaza, there has been a marked increase in hostilities across the West Bank, particularly in Jenin, Tulkarem, and Tubas. The organization has raised alarms about the blockade imposed on Jenin, which is causing shortages of essential supplies for the local population.
As the conflict continues, the situation remains volatile, with both sides bracing for further developments in an already tense environment.