One dead, 12 injured as Israel army raids in West Bank

Gulf Today Report

Israeli security forces raided the flashpoint in the Israeli-occupied West Bank district of Jenin on Saturday, killing a Palestinian and wounding 12 others.

The operation, which lasted several hours, came after a gunman from Jenin went on a shooting rampage in a popular Tel Aviv nightlife area on Thursday evening, killing three Israelis and wounding more than a dozen others.

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Following the attack, Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett gave security agencies "full freedom" to end deadly violence that has surged since March 22 "in order to defeat terror".

"There are not and will not be limits for this war," Bennett said.

Israeli military vehicles drive during clashes between Palestinians and Israeli forces in Jenin. AFP

The developments come as tensions between Israelis and Palestinians have escalated during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, which this year converges with major Jewish and Christian holidays. Protests and tensions around this time last year boiled over into the 11-day Gaza war.

Military spokesman Brig. Gen. Ran Kochav told Israeli Army Radio that some 100 Palestinians marched toward the site late Saturday, rioted and set it ablaze before they were dispersed by Palestinian security forces. Images on social media showed parts of the tomb inside the shrine smashed and charred.

On Saturday, the army said security forces had launched the operation in the city of Jenin, in the north of the occupied West Bank, its adjacent refugee camp and nearby villages.

The Palestinian health ministry said at least one Palestinian was killed by Israeli gunfire, while the Red Crescent said 12 others were wounded.

The Islamic Jihad militant group said that one of its fighters, whom it identified as 23-year-old Ahmed al-Saadi, died during clashes in the camp.

A crowd of mourners marched through the streets carrying Saadi's body on a stretcher covered with the group's flag.