Palestinian killed in violent clashes with IDF troops in the West Bank
IDF tanks struck two Hamas positions in the Gaza Strip on Saturday night after a projectile was fired from the coastal enclave to southern Israel.
By ANNA AHRONHEIM, OMRI RONIDF forces at the Palestinian village of Nabi Salih at the central West Bank (photo credit: MIZMOR LIXESNBERG/TPS)
The rocket fire came after a tense weekend as violence over US President Donald Trump’s Middle East peace plan continues.A Palestinian protester was shot dead by IDF troops during clashes on Friday in the town of Qaffin near Tulkarm as violence over US President Donald Trump’s Middle East peace plan continues.The teenager was identified by the Palestinian Health Ministry as Bader Nidal Ahmad Nafleh, 19. The IDF Spokesperson’s Unit claimed he was shot by a sniper in the neck after he threw a firebomb at soldiers.Nafleh is the fourth Palestinian to be killed by IDF troops since violence surged on Thursday. Dozens of Israeli troops have been injured, including one severely.Palestinians also clashed with IDF troops in the West Bank city of Jericho and burned tires in the village of Bil’in.Thousands of Palestinians also took part in the funeral for Tarek Badwan on Friday in the town of Azzun in the northern West Bank. The Palestinian policeman was mistakenly shot by IDF troops during a military operation in Jenin.Following the funeral, Palestinians clashed with troops, throwing rocks and Molotov cocktails, as well as setting barricades on fire. Troops responded with riot dispersal means and live fire after two female Border Police officers were lightly injured and evacuated to hospital.The Palestinian Red Crescent said dozens were wounded in the clashes, including eight people who were wounded by live fire and two others by rubber-tipped bullets.There have been daily clashes between Israeli troops and Palestinians in the West Bank since the release of Trump’s peace plan last month.On Saturday evening, a projectile was launched toward southern Israel from the Hamas-run Gaza Strip. It landed in open territory causing no damage.
It was also cleared for release that Israeli authorities arrested a Palestinian suspected of throwing a Molotov cocktail that exploded on the face of a Border Police officer during violet clashes in Hebron last week.The army has reinforced troops in the West Bank after three attacks against IDF troops occurred within less than 15 hours.The IDF announced on Thursday afternoon that an extra battalion will be sent to the West Bank, following a situational assessment.“We have no intention of allowing terrorism to succeed,” IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Aviv Kochavi said on Thursday. “Our directive is very clear to all troops on the ground – to thwart and prevent all terrorism activity. When I say terrorism, I also mean the throwing of rocks, Molotov cocktails, explosive balloons... All of these are terrorism. The message is clear, not this attack, not the bombings, not the firing of the rockets, all these acts – will not succeed.”
