Israeli forces shoot dead Palestinians in hospital
Israeli forces have shot dead three Palestinians inside a hospital in the city of Jenin in the occupied West Bank. The killings were carried out by undercover operatives while the men were sleeping at the Ibn Sina Hospital, according to statements issued by the Palestinian Ministry of Health and the Israeli army on Tuesday.
Provocation and Response
The Health Ministry in Ramallah condemned the killings, stating, “This morning three young men were martyred by the bullets of the occupation [Israeli] forces who stormed the Ibn Sina Hospital in Jenin and shot them.”
The military claimed that the men, who were hiding in the hospital, belonged to a Hamas “terrorist cell.” One of them, Mohammed Jalamneh, 27, was identified as a primary suspect planning an imminent attack.
The Palestinian Ministry of Health, on the other hand, accused the undercover operatives of assassinating the men in their sleep, emphasizing that one of the men was being treated for a previous injury received during an army raid.
The Hospital Raid
Security camera footage circulated online appeared to show about a dozen undercover personnel, including three dressed as women and two as medical staff, pacing through a corridor of the hospital with assault rifles. The assailants were able to enter the hospital undetected.
Hamas’ Response
Hamas, in response, condemned the Israeli army’s actions, declaring that such “crimes will not go unanswered.” They further stated that these killings are a continuation of the Israeli occupation’s ongoing crimes against the Palestinian people.
Public Outrage
The killings have sparked outrage among Palestinians, and the Palestinian foreign ministry vehemently denounced the “assassination of the three young men.” Meanwhile, funeral ceremonies for the victims have commenced in Jenin with large crowds gathering to perform the last rites in the Jenin refugee camp cemetery.
Increasing Tension in the West Bank
The incident is part of an escalatory pattern following Hamas’s attacks on Israel and the subsequent Israeli war on Gaza. Israel has been carrying out raids and arrests in the West Bank on a daily basis. This ongoing violence has resulted in the deaths of numerous Palestinians and the arrests of hundreds of individuals.
Amidst the recent conflict, approximately 1,140 Palestinians were killed, and around 250 were taken captive. A truce deal in November led to the release of approximately 100 Palestinian prisoners in exchange for the return of Israeli captives.
The West Bank continues to experience a cycle of violence, with the Palestinian people facing substantial risks and challenges in their daily lives.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only. The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not reflect the official policy or position of any agency.
