Nine Palestinians, including an elderly woman, have been killed in an Israeli military raid in the West Bank, Palestinian officials announced on Thursday.
The operation in the flashpoint town is the deadliest Israeli raid in recent months and left at least 16 others wounded, including a child. Four are said to be in critical condition.
The Palestinian News Agency (Wafa) reported that the heavily-armed soldiers opened fire toward local youths attempting to block their entry, wounding seven, including one seriously wounded by live ammunition in the chest and thigh.
Palestinian Health Minister May Al-Kaila warned that the situation was “dire” and ambulances were unable to reach the wounded amid the fighting.
She added the children's ward of a local hospital was hit by Israeli tear gas.
Al-Kaila demanded an urgent meeting with the World Health Organization and the International Committee of the Red Cross to bring an end to the aggression, save the lives of Palestinians and prevent further bloodshed.
She also urged international human rights organizations to urgently intervene to help rein in Israeli army practices.
Tensions have recently risen in the West Bank. At least 29 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces in the West Bank so far this year.
The army forces barged their way into the flashpoint city and the neighboring refugee camp, where snipers seized positions on the rooftops of houses, trigging violent confrontations.
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