Israeli airstrikes in the occupied West Bank have resulted in the deaths of five Palestinians, including Mohammed Zubeidi, the son of a notable jailed militant, as confirmed by Palestinian health officials on Thursday.
The strikes occurred overnight in Tubas, a northern town, and specifically targeted Mohammed Zubeidi, whose father, Zakaria Zubeidi, gained prominence during the second Palestinian uprising in the early 2000s. Zakaria notably escaped from Israeli custody in 2021, only to be recaptured shortly after.
Israeli military operations have ramped up in the area, with officials stating that these strikes aim to dismantle militant networks and thwart potential attacks.
Majdi Mohammed/AP
The military’s description of the raids emphasizes targeting immediate threats from militants.
Tubas frequently experiences clashes and has been under significant Israeli oversight as part of a wider campaign throughout the West Bank.
Israeli Strike Hits Tent Camp in Gaza, Killing Four
In a separate development, an Israeli airstrike on a Gaza tent camp in Deir al-Balah early Thursday killed four men and wounded two children, per Palestinian health reports.
The strike occurred near Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital, with victims’ bodies confirmed by hospital staff. The Israeli military asserted that their target was a command and control center for Hamas and Islamic Jihad located in a humanitarian zone.
The ongoing conflict has severely affected Gaza, where nearly 90 percent of its 2.3 million residents have been displaced multiple times.
Ariel Schalit/AP
One local resident, Umm Mohammed Wadi, expressed her shock and sorrow, questioning the safety of living in areas designated as humanitarian, such as hospitals and homes.
Despite Israel’s assertion that its operations are aimed at militants and efforts to minimize civilian casualties, casualties among Palestinians in Gaza remain high.
According to Gaza’s Health Ministry, over 40,861 Palestinians have lost their lives, with more than 94,000 injured since the outbreak of conflict in October, sparked by Hamas’s unprecedented attack on Israel on the 7th of that month, which resulted in over 1,200 deaths, primarily among civilians, and around 250 hostages taken.
Currently, about 100 hostages are believed to remain in Gaza, with some presumed dead, while many were released during a temporary ceasefire in November.
The situation shows no signs of improving, with civilian suffering continuing to escalate.
This article includes reporting from The Associated Press