An Israeli military air strike in Jenin, located in the occupied West Bank, resulted in the deaths of three Palestinians on Friday. The Israeli military stated the operation targeted a vehicle carrying three individuals, identifying one as a Hamas operative and the other two as his associates.
Disputes emerged regarding the identity and affiliation of the primary target. While the Israeli military identified the individual as Qais Bitawi, Hamas did not claim him as a member in its response to the strike. Palestinian Islamic Jihad, however, identified Bitawi as a senior operative within its armed wing. The Palestinian Wafa news agency reported that the strike targeted a house under construction in western Jenin City, with all three individuals killed instantly.
Following the operation, the Palestine Red Crescent ambulance service reported that Israeli ground troops raided the strike location, briefly detained medical personnel, and prevented the transport of wounded or deceased individuals to medical facilities. Red Crescent staff were also detained upon arriving at the scene. Photographic evidence from international news sources documented Israeli soldiers removing a body from the partially constructed building.
Israeli officials, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defence Minister Israel Katz, publicly acknowledged and praised the military operation. Katz stated that the Jenin camp had been evacuated of residents and that Israeli military forces were now permanently stationed there. Hamas issued a statement condemning the strike and calling on the international community to prevent such operations and hold Israel accountable.
The strike marked the first Israeli air operation in the West Bank since February 2025, occurring amid broader regional tensions. The incident coincided with separate Israeli strikes in Gaza that resulted in additional casualties, while international mediators warned of potential deterioration in ceasefire agreements between the parties.
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