JENIN: Palestinian health officials said seven Palestinians were killed in an Israeli raid on the West Bank city of Jenin, where a correspondent reported masked gunmen later exchanged fire with Israeli forces.
Explosions and gunfire were heard from inside the camp, while at least five gunmen clashed with troops in downtown Jenin city, the correspondent reported.
Earlier on Tuesday, the Israeli military said troops had launched a "operation in Jenin and they were fighting with armed men", without providing further details.
The Palestinian health ministry in Ramallah said Israeli troops had killed seven Palestinians during the raid that began in the morning in Jenin city.
It said 19 people had also been wounded, including two who were in critical condition.
Palestinian official news agency Wafa reported that among those killed was a surgeon, Usaeed Jabareen, from the Jenin government hospital.
A school teacher and a student were also among the dead, Wafa reported, quoting hospital director Wissam Bakr.
Following the raid, all schools in Jenin and its adjacent refugee camp had been evacuated, Wafa said.
In early afternoon, the streets near the camp were deserted, except for Israeli bulldozers moving debris.
The road between the hospital and the camp had been stripped of its asphalt by Israeli troops who said they were looking for concealed bombs. Drones buzzed overhead and sporadic gunfire rang out.
Crowds of mourners including schoolchildren gathered for the funeral of teacher Allam Jaradat.
Jaradat's body, wrapped in the green flag, was kept at a local mosque where mourners offered prayers.
"The new massacre in Jenin... is conclusive evidence of the criminal mentality that rules the occupying state and its ideological belief in killing our people," Hamas said in a statement.
The office of Palestinian President Mahmud Abbas condemned Tuesday's raid in a statement on Wafa, saying Israel was "killing innocent people, doctors, and destroying the infrastructure of Palestinian hospitals, cities and villages." The Israeli army routinely carries out raids into the city and adjacent camp.
The West Bank, which Israel has occupied since 1967, has seen a surge in violence for more than a year, but particularly since the war erupted on October 7.
At least 513 Palestinians have been killed in the territory by Israeli troops or settlers since the Gaza war broke out, according to Palestinian officials. — AFP
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