In the occupied West Bank city of Nablus, eleven Palestinian men were killed by Israeli military forces during a crackdown. Thousands of people attended their funeral procession, raising concerns about a potential uptick in violence given the current state of tensions.
People in thousands from all corners of Palestine attended a funeral on Thursday, according to locals and residents who said mourners carried the victims’ bodies. As hundreds of Palestinians traveled from different towns and cities on motorcycles and in cars to say goodbye to the dead victims, people were sobbing in heavy pain.
On Wednesday, a number of clashes broke out shortly after Israeli troops stormed Nablus at 10 a.m. local time with dozens of armored vehicles and Special Forces.
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Before surrounding a residence where two prominent Palestinian resistance fighters, Hossam Isleem and Mohammad Abdulghani, who were both killed, the army closed off all city entrances to abolish this gruesome act.
Palestinians were killed—at least 11; According to the Palestinian Health Ministry, 102 additional people were hurt, 82 of whom were hit by live ammunition. Six people were in serious condition. The ministry reported that a 66-year-old man who was gas inhaled during the raid passed away in the hospital later on Wednesday.
In a statement, the resistance group Lions’ Den claimed that its members, along with fighters from the recently formed Balata Brigades, engaged in combat with Israeli forces during the raid. Israeli armored vehicles were rocked by young Palestinians.
Moreover, following an alleged stabbing attempt against the soldiers of the regime, Israeli military forces shot and injured a Palestinian woman southeast of occupied East al-Quds.
The attempted stabbing allegedly took place Thursday morning close to the settlement of Ma’ale Adumim, according to a statement from the Israeli police.
On Thursday, a general strike was observed by millions of Palestinians throughout the West Bank as they remembered the eleven victims, in all cities, shops closed early.
The Israeli military’s massacre in Nablus, however, has the Special Coordinator for the United Nations’ so-called Middle East Peace Process, Tor Wennesland, expressing his deep concern and his efforts to defuse the situation.
Wennesland released a statement saying, “I am appalled by the loss of civilian lives and deeply disturbed by the cycle of violence.” “I am continuing to work with all parties involved to defuse the situation. I kindly request that no action be taken by any side that might exacerbate the tense situation.”
In order to justify their gruesome activities, in a statement stated that the woman approached the security personnel at a checkpoint at the settlement’s entrance while brandishing a knife “in an attempt to stab them.” Police continued, “The guards fired at her and took her out.”
Since the beginning of 2023, Israeli forces have killed 61 Palestinians in the occupied territories, including 13 children. Almost every day, Israeli forces conduct raids on towns and cities throughout the occupied West Bank with the stated goal of apprehending Palestinians who are deemed to be “wanted.” The raids frequently result in violent attacks against the residents.
2022 was recorded by the UN as the most noxious year for Palestinians in the West Bank in the previous decades. In the West Bank and the occupied East al-Quds last year, Israeli forces killed at least 171 Palestinians, including more than 30 children and teenagers.
However, Israel has increased its attacks on Palestinian towns and cities throughout the occupied territories over the past few months. Resistant Palestinians have been killed and numerous others have been detained as a result of these attacks.
