At least six individuals sustained injuries during a shooting incident at a checkpoint in the West Bank, which is under Israeli control, early Tuesday morning. Information provided by the Israeli military and local hospitals confirmed the incident. According to military reports, an attacker opened fire on soldiers stationed at a checkpoint in the village of Tayasir, located in northern parts of the West Bank. In response to this assault, the soldiers returned fire, resulting in the death of the assailant.
Hospitals in Israel reported treating a total of six people injured in the shooting, with Israeli news outlets indicating that some of the injured were soldiers, and at least two were in critical condition. Both Hamas and the smaller militant group, Islamic Jihad, issued statements commending the attack, though neither took formal responsibility for it.
In recent weeks, Israel has undertaken a significant military operation in the nearby city of Jenin, aimed at suppressing what officials describe as escalating militant activity in the area. This military action, which has included troops and armored vehicles, has led to substantial damage and the destruction of numerous homes. Palestinian health officials have not provided a complete count of casualties but indicate that at least 20 Palestinians have died as a result of Israeli fire since the operation began. The ongoing violence in the West Bank has intensified following the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack from Gaza which sparked the current conflict.
In other developments, Turkey announced plans to welcome 15 Palestinian prisoners who will be granted asylum following their release as part of a ceasefire arrangement between Hamas and Israel. The state-run Anadolu news agency reported that Turkey’s intelligence agency, MIT, is making arrangements to ensure the safe arrival of these individuals from Egypt. The agency noted that the deported Palestinians have been convicted of serious offenses, although their identities have not been disclosed.
Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan emphasized Turkey’s commitment to supporting the Palestinian people, which includes providing medical assistance to those injured in the ongoing conflict and accepting released prisoners who are deported from the region. Unlike many Western nations, Turkey does not label Hamas as a terrorist organization and has been a vocal critic of Israel’s military operations in Gaza, with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan having maintained relationships with several Hamas representatives over the years.
Additionally, family members of Thai nationals released by Hamas made a visit to the Israeli hospital where their loved ones are recovering. The Thai Embassy in Israel confirmed that family members arrived on Tuesday to meet with the freed hostages at Shamir Medical Center. Last week, Hamas released five Thai prisoners, as well as three Israeli captives, as part of a ceasefire deal which involved the exchange for 110 Palestinian prisoners.
During the initial attack by Hamas on October 7, 2023, a total of 31 Thai citizens were taken captive alongside numerous Israelis and other foreign nationals. Many of these Thai nationals were working in Israel’s agricultural sector, where they generally earn higher wages than what they would receive in their home country. Following a ceasefire in November 2023, Thailand successfully negotiated the release of 23 more Thai nationals, facilitated by the involvement of Qatar and Iran.
According to Thailand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the conflict has claimed the lives of 46 Thai citizens, including two individuals who were deceased on the day of the October 7 attack, whose remains were subsequently taken into Gaza.
