Israel kills six Palestinians in occupied West Bank

Live Story

25 October, 2022

Six Palestinians were killed and nearly 20 others injured early Tuesday in sweeping raids by Israeli forces in the occupied West Bank, the Palestinian Health Ministry said.

The Palestinian health ministry initially reported three dead and 19 wounded, three of them seriously, shot "by Israeli fire in Nablus".

Later statements said that two more Palestinians had died in Nablus, while another Palestinian was also killed in overnight clashes near Ramallah.

The Israeli army said it had carried out a vast operation with police and intelligence officers targeting a site "used by the main operatives of the 'Lion's Den'", describing it as a "headquarters and a workshop for making weapons" of the group.

"The forces detonated the explosive manufacturing site," the army statement added, which did not provide a death toll. "During the activity, multiple armed suspects were hit."

The New Arab is providing live updates on the situation

4:40 PM

The New Arab Staff

The European Union expressed its regret over the killing of six Palestinians that took place in the occupied West Bank earlier on Tuesday.

European Spokesman for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Peter Stano said that the EU "is closely following up on developments in the occupied territories and the West Bank."

"We have always said that these events will continue until an appropriate solution is found".

He added that the “issues that we always discuss underscore the necessity of returning to peace talks between the Israelis and the Palestinians, in order to reach an appropriate solution that serves the interests of citizens on both sides."

3:54 PM

The New Arab Staff

The Gaza-based Palestinian factions on Tuesday declared a comprehensive strike in solidarity with the West Bank city of Nablus, after Israel killed five Palestinian fighters in the besieged city in a bloody raid.

In a press conference held in Gaza after finishing the joint meeting of the factions, Khalid al-Batsh, a senior leader of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) said, "We mourn our heroes in Nablus and announce the strike as all aspects of life stop, including government and educational facilities and others."

Read full story here

1:02 PM

The New Arab Staff

Three young Palestinians have been shot by Israeli soldiers in the occupied city of Hebron in the south of the West Bank after they protested against the killing of the six Palestinians.

The soldiers raided the city from the ground and rooftops of buildings and fired live and rubber-coated metal bullets, as well as tear gas canisters at the Palestinian protesters. The three Palestinians who were shot were taken to hospital for treatment.

Watch: Israeli soldiers seen dragging a Palestinian youth after shooting him in the area of occupied West Bank's Hebron's Bab al-Zawiya. pic.twitter.com/3oa5gZcgZS
— Wafa News Agency - English (@WAFANewsEnglish) October 25, 2022

12:23 PM

The New Arab Staff

Thousands of Palestinians took part in the funeral of six killed in Nablus and near Ramallah on Tuesday as a general strike was called for by Palestinian factions across the occupied West Bank.

Businesses and institutions were closed in response to the call to strike in all major West Bank cities, including Ramallah, where the Palestinian Authority is based.

Read our full report here

Several cities in the occupied West Bank observed a general strike called by Palestinian factions as thousands mourned five Palestinians killed in an Israeli military raid on Nablus and a teenager killed near Ramallah https://t.co/xxHiDK5HXO
— The New Arab (@The_NewArab) October 25, 2022

11:49 AM

The New Arab Staff

Palestinians come out in masses in the occupied West Bank city of Nablus to take part in the funeral of those who were killed earlier on Tuesday.

Local reports say tens of thousands of mourners attended.

Palestinian masses take part in the funeral procession of five youths killed by Israeli troops in occupied Nablus. pic.twitter.com/qBzx2Rrg1M
— Palestine Info Center (@palinfoen) October 25, 2022

10:57 AM

The New Arab Staff

Palestinians have announced a general strike across the occupied West Bank in protest of the killings by Israeli soldiers that took place on Tuesday morning.

The coordinator of the national and Islamic forces in Nablus, Issam Bakr, confirmed to The New Arab's Arabic-language service Al-Araby Al-Jadeed, that strikes will take place to "mourn the souls of the martyrs".

The strikes expanded to other governorates, including Tulkarem, Bethlehem, Jenin, Qalqilya and Tubas.

9:25 AM

The New Arab Staff & Agencies

Israeli Prime Minister Yair Lapid, said on Israeli public broadcaster Kan radio, warned the Lion's Den "need to know that we will reach them wherever they are," he said.

"Israel will never stop acting for its security and we will do what needs to be done," he added. "The goal is to reduce terrorism and ensure that it does not affect Israeli citizens"

מטרתנו היתה ונותרה לפגוע פגיעה קשה ומתמשכת בטרור ושלוחיו בג’נין ובשכם, ובכל מקום אחר בו יצמחו קיני טרור. אנחנו לא נרפה לרגע. לא נאפשר קיומם של ארגוני טרור שפוגעים באזרחי ישראל ובחיילי צה"ל.
— יאיר לפיד - Yair Lapid (@yairlapid) October 25, 2022