After an Israeli special forces raid on the northern West Bank city Jenin, nine Palestinians were killed and many others were injured.

Israeli forces claim they killed three militants of Islamic Jihad, who are suspected of plotting “multiple major terror attack” and other gunmen at the camp.

A Palestinian official also claimed that an elderly woman was killed, and Israeli forces were accused of using tear gas in a children’s ward.

Although the Israel Defence Forces (IDF), has not commented on these claims, it said that they are investigating the death. There were no casualties in the IDF.

Advertisement

“During the operation against terrorists, additional armed suspects opened firing on the security forces who responded with live fire,” said the IDF.

Mahmoud Abbas (the chairman of the Palestinian Authority) called for three days mourning in commemoration of the deaths.

Tor Wennesland was the UN Special Coordinator in Jerusalem. He said that he was deeply alarmed by the violence and felt sad for both sides. He called on both sides to “reduce tensions instantly”.

After the attack in Jenin on Thursday morning, Israeli security forces were said to be on alert for a response by the Gaza Strip.

Jenin has been a frequent flashpoint in the midst of increased violence in The West Bank. This month, 29 Palestinians were killed, including five children.

Only a few weeks into its tenure, the new Israeli government is one of most right-leaning in Israel’s history. It has already hardened policies toward Palestinians, including the withdrawal from some tax revenues and a promise to increase settlement construction in the occupied territory.

Protests in Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, against proposed changes to Israel’s judicial system have also challenged the government. If they were to be implemented, it would result in the power shifting from judges to elected politicians.

Antony Blinken (the US secretary of State) will be visiting Israel and the West Bank next Wednesday. The White House has asked neither side to take actions that could inflame the fragile state.