Sun Dec 01 19:07:45 UTC 2024: ## Four Palestinians Killed in Israeli West Bank Raid, Death Toll Rises

**Jenin, West Bank –** An Israeli military operation in the West Bank village of Sir near Jenin has resulted in the deaths of four Palestinians, bringing the total number of Palestinians killed in the occupied territories since the start of the Gaza war on October 7th to at least 790. The Palestinian Ministry of Health attributed the killings to “the occupation’s aggression,” while the Israeli military identified the deceased as “terrorists,” claiming they were responsible for attacks against Israeli settlers. One of the dead was identified as 31-year-old Wael Lahluh, who the military alleges killed a 23-year-old settler in August.

The incident, which involved an initial drone strike followed by a ground assault, unfolded on Sunday. Residents reported that Israeli forces prevented medical teams from reaching the scene. Fares Irshaid, a villager, described the attack as a devastating aerial bombardment followed by a military incursion that sealed off the area. He expressed concern for missing relatives caught in the operation. Israel has not yet released the bodies of those killed.

This latest incident is part of a surge in Israeli military operations and settler violence in the West Bank since the beginning of the Gaza conflict. The overall death toll includes at least 780 Palestinians killed in the West Bank and over 44,000 in Gaza. Israel has reported 24 Israeli deaths in the West Bank during the same period. The October 7th Hamas attack on southern Israel resulted in at least 1,139 fatalities.

The ongoing violence and the expansion of Israeli settlements – deemed illegal under international law – continue to fuel tensions in the region. The Israeli government, under Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, has consistently defended its actions, citing the need to protect Israeli settlers. This latest raid follows several previous operations in Jenin, further escalating the conflict.

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