At least six individuals were reported injured during a shooting incident at a checkpoint in the Israeli-occupied West Bank on Tuesday morning, as confirmed by local hospitals and the Israeli military.
The military reported that an assailant began firing at soldiers stationed at the checkpoint located in the village of Tayasir, found in northern West Bank. In the ensuing exchange, troops returned fire resulting in the death of the attacker.
Six injured persons were admitted to Israeli hospitals, which reported that among those hurt were soldiers, with at least two suffering from critical injuries.
The militant groups Hamas and Islamic Jihad expressed their appreciation for the attack, although neither organization officially claimed responsibility for it.
Israeli operations have intensified in the nearby city of Jenin over the past few weeks, aimed at curbing what is described as militant activities in the area. These military operations have involved soldiers and armored bulldozers, leading to extensive damage and the destruction of numerous homes.
Palestinian health officials have not yet provided a definitive death toll, but reports indicate that at least 20 Palestinians have lost their lives due to Israeli fire since the onset of the military actions.
Violence in the West Bank has escalated following the attack launched by Hamas from the Gaza Strip on October 7, 2023, which triggered an ongoing conflict.
In recent updates, Turkey has announced that it will host 15 Palestinian prisoners who were released and deported as part of a ceasefire deal established between Hamas and Israel.
According to Turkey’s state-run news agency, the Turkish intelligence agency, MIT, is taking measures to “facilitate” the arrival of these prisoners from Egypt. Anadolu Agency reported that preparations are in place to ensure these Palestinians can reside in Turkey “peacefully and securely.”
The identities of the Palestinians set to be accommodated in Turkey have not been disclosed. These individuals are reported to have been convicted of serious offenses.
Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan indicated that Turkey stands ready to assist the Palestinian people, which includes providing medical aid for the injured and accommodating released prisoners facing deportation.
Turkey notably does not classify Hamas as a terrorist organization, contrasting with its Western allies. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has been a vocal critic of Israeli military actions in Gaza and has engaged with Hamas officials over the years.
In another development, family members of Thai hostages freed by Hamas last week visited their loved ones at an Israeli hospital.
After being held captive in the Gaza Strip for over 15 months, the Thai hostages were released last week, and their families arrived in Israel to see them at Shamir Medical Center on Tuesday. The Thai Embassy reported their visit.
Last week, Hamas released five Thai hostages alongside three Israeli captives as part of a ceasefire deal that involved the exchange of 110 Palestinian prisoners.
A total of 31 Thai nationals were kidnapped during the initial attack on October 7, 2023, which also targeted numerous Israelis and other foreign nationals.
In Israel, tens of thousands of Thai agricultural workers reside, attracted by significantly higher wages than what they earn back home. Many of them had settled in compounds near southern Israeli communities that were overrun by Hamas militants.
During a previous ceasefire in November 2023, 23 Thai nationals were released as a result of negotiations between Thailand and Hamas, facilitated by Qatar and Iran.
Thailand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has reported that 46 Thai nationals have died in the ongoing conflict, including two citizens who were killed on October 7, 2023, with their bodies taken into Gaza.
