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Israeli air strike on home kills six in Jenin

A 15-year-old is among the victims in the joint attack by the Israeli army and intelligence
Palestinians at a hospital mourn those killed in an Israeli aerial strike in Jenin, occupied West Bank (Reuters/Mohammad Ali)
Palestinians at a hospital mourn those killed in an Israeli aerial strike in Jenin, occupied West Bank (Reuters/Mohammad Ali)

An Israeli strike on a home in Jenin in the occupied West Bank has killed six and left others wounded. 

The victims of the air strike on Tuesday night have been identified as Mahmoud Ashraf Mustafa Gharbiyeh, 15, Mo'men Ibrahim Abu al-Hayja, 28, Amir Ibrahim Mahmoud Abu al-Hayja, 27, Hussam Hassan Qanouh, 34, Ibrahim Mustafa Qaneiry, 23 and Bahaa Ibrahim Abu al-Hayja, 33.

Others wounded during the strike are reportedly in stable condition. 

Eyewitnesses reported that an Israeli drone fired three missiles near al-Awda roundabout in the Jenin refugee camp, according to the official Palestinian news agency Wafa. 

A statement by the Israeli army confirmed that "an Air Force aircraft attacked a short time ago in the Jenin area" in a joint operation with the Shin Bet intelligence agency.

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Meanwhile, a statement issued by the Palestinian Security Forces' official spokesman raised concerns over what he labelled a "crime" committed by the Israeli army. 

"In this context, we have previously expressed our serious concerns about the occupation army's intervention at the last minute to thwart Operation 'Protect the Homeland' and disrupt the efforts and endeavours made by the security establishment to achieve security and stability for our Palestinian people," Anwar Rajab said, referencing the Palestinian Authority's latest crackdown on Palestinian armed groups in Jenin.

The PA's ongoing campaign against anti-occupation groups in the northern West Bank city, which has killed several Palestinians, began on 5 December.

The large-scale security campaign in the occupied city, which has involved shooting at unarmed civilians and clashing with local fighters, has undermined the legitimacy of the Ramallah-based body for many Palestinians, who see it as operating on behalf of Israel.

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The local news outlet Arab48 reported that some Israeli army raids coincided with attacks by settlers on Palestinian property.

Al-Quds Brigades in Jenin said that its fighters confronted the army in the town of Qabatiya, launching bullets and explosives at them. 

The Israeli army said that two soldiers were seriously wounded and another slightly injured after a "military vehicle ran over a bomb."

"The fighters were evacuated to receive medical treatment at a hospital, their families were notified," the statement added.

The cities of Nablus, Tulkarm and Qalqilya witnessed similar operations and arrests by the military to the ones in Jenin, with homes and infrastructure left damaged by the attacks.

Israeli forces also attacked and arrested several Palestinians across the occupied territory, with some areas' residents subjected to home searches and field investigations. 

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