Conflicts & War

Israeli forces kill Palestinian during West Bank raid

Jerusalem, Aug 19 (EFE).- Israeli forces on Friday killed a 58-year-old Palestinian in the West Bank town of Tubas after clashes erupted during a raid by the Israeli army.

The deceased was identified as Salah Tawfiq Sawafta and his death was due to a shot to the head by Israeli soldiers, according to the health ministry of the Palestinian National Authority (PNA).

The civilian was struck by an Israeli bullet while leaving a local mosque after the first morning prayers, Palestinian news agency, WAFA, reported.

The Israeli army said that troops were attacked by residents hurling Molotov cocktails and firing shots during a raid, to which Israeli forces responded with more shots.

The operation ended with the arrest of five Palestinians suspected of participating in and planning terrorist attacks against innocent civilians, the army statement said.

Two other Palestinians were arrested in the town of Hizma, near Ramallah.

The 58-year-old’s killing is the second Palestinian death in two days by Israeli forces in the occupied West Bank.

On Thursday, a 20-year-old man identified as Wasim Nasser Abu Khalifa was shot fatally in the chest in the city of Nablus after Israeli soldiers opened fire on a group of protestors who were attacking Jewish worshipers while they were visiting a holy tomb, according to the Israeli army.

Israel has stepped up raid operations in the West Bank in recent months after a wave of attacks in Israel left 18 dead in late March.

The raids have sparked bloody clashes and left 50 Palestinians dead. EFE

pd/ch/jt

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