Wed Jan 08 17:36:26 UTC 2025: ## Israeli Airstrike Kills Three, Including Two Children, in West Bank
**JERUSALEM, January 8, 2025** – An Israeli airstrike in the West Bank village of Tammun on Wednesday killed three Palestinians, including two children aged eight and ten, Palestinian officials reported. The Israeli military claimed the strike targeted a militant cell.
Ahmad Asaad, governor of the nearby city of Tubas, identified the victims as Adam Bsharat (23) and his nephews Hamza (10) and Reda (8) Bsharat. They were killed near their home, which sustained shrapnel damage. A relative stated the family was at home when the strike occurred.
The Palestinian foreign ministry condemned the attack, accusing Israel of harming civilians. The Israeli military maintained that the strike targeted terrorists. While Israeli forces initially took the bodies, they were later returned to the Palestinians.
This is the second Israeli airstrike in Tammun in two days. A similar strike on Tuesday reportedly killed two other Palestinians. The increased violence comes amid a surge in conflict in the West Bank following the start of the Gaza war in October 2023. On Monday, three Israelis were killed in a separate attack.
Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz responded by ordering an increase in military activity to protect Israeli settlements, warning of ongoing efforts to promote Palestinian terrorism.
Since the beginning of the Gaza war, the Palestinian health ministry reports at least 825 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces or settlers. Israeli figures show at least 28 Israelis killed in Palestinian attacks during the same period. The escalating violence continues to fuel tensions between Israel and Palestine.
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