2 Palestinians killed by Israeli army in West Bank

RAMALLAH, Aug. 31 (Xinhua) — Two Palestinians were killed by Israeli forces in the north of the West Bank city of Hebron on Friday night, the Palestinian Health Ministry said on Saturday.
In a brief statement, the Ramallah-based ministry identified the victims as Muhammad Ihsan Yaqin Marqa and Zahdi Nidal Abu Afifa, without providing further details.
Palestinian security sources told Xinhua that the two men were killed near the Israeli settlements of Karmei Tzur and Gush Etzion, north of Hebron, adding that Israeli forces have raided their homes and conducted field investigations with their families.
Also on Saturday, Israeli military spokesperson Avichay Adraee said in a press statement that “a burning car exploded at a gas station near the Gush Etzion Junction. The forces opened fire and killed the terrorist who got out of the car and tried to attack them.”
In another incident, “terrorists tried to run over a security guard at the entrance to the town of Karmei Tzur and enter the town,” Adraee said, adding that Israeli forces then killed one of the terrorists who opened fire.
Meanwhile, Hamas said in a press statement that these operations convey a message that “the resistance will extend as long as the Israeli aggression against the Palestinian people continues.”
Since the outbreak of the war between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza Strip on Oct. 7, 2023, the West Bank has witnessed an escalation of tension, with more than 660 Palestinians killed so far by Israeli fire across the Israeli-occupied territory, according to the Palestinian Health Ministry. ■