Israel says army killed Hamas commander in West Bank
Tensions in the West Bank have escalated yet again as the Israeli army claimed to have killed a senior commander of the Qassam Brigades, the military wing of Hamas, during a large-scale military operation in the eastern neighborhood of the northern city of Jenin. The violent clashes that ensued have left one dead and several others injured, sparking widespread condemnation from Palestinian officials and human rights groups.
According to reports, the Israeli forces surrounded several residential buildings in the eastern neighborhood of Jenin, leading to a series of intense gun battles with Palestinian fighters. The operation, which began in the early hours of the morning, resulted in the death of Aysar al-Saadi, a high-ranking commander of the Qassam Brigades.
Al-Saadi, who was in his mid-30s, was a well-known figure in the Palestinian resistance movement and had been involved in numerous clashes with Israeli forces over the years. His killing has been widely condemned by Palestinian officials, who have accused the Israeli army of committing a “war crime” by targeting a civilian neighborhood.
“We strongly condemn this brutal attack by the Israeli army, which has left a civilian neighborhood in ruins,” said a spokesperson for the Palestinian Authority. “The Israeli occupation is responsible for the bloodshed and chaos that has engulfed our country, and we will continue to resist their aggression until our people are free.”
The Qassam Brigades, meanwhile, has vowed to avenge al-Saadi’s death and has called on its fighters to launch a wave of attacks against Israeli targets. “We will not rest until we have avenged the blood of our commander and our people,” said a spokesperson for the group. “The Israeli occupation will pay the price for its aggression.”
The Israeli army, however, has defended its actions, claiming that al-Saadi was a “terrorist” who was involved in planning attacks against Israeli civilians. “We will not hesitate to take action against those who threaten our security and the safety of our citizens,” said a spokesperson for the Israeli military.
The killing of al-Saadi comes at a time of heightened tensions in the West Bank, where Israeli forces have been conducting a series of operations aimed at cracking down on Palestinian resistance groups. The region has seen an uptick in violence in recent weeks, with multiple clashes and attacks reported between Israeli forces and Palestinian fighters.
The situation on the ground is becoming increasingly volatile, with many Palestinians expressing frustration and anger at the Israeli occupation. “We are living under a state of siege, with our homes being raided and our families being arrested,” said a Palestinian resident of Jenin. “We have the right to resist and to defend ourselves against the Israeli aggression.”
Human rights groups have also expressed concern at the situation, calling on the international community to take action to protect Palestinian civilians. “The Israeli army’s actions in Jenin are unacceptable and constitute a clear violation of international law,” said a spokesperson for the human rights organization, Amnesty International. “We urge the international community to take immediate action to protect Palestinian civilians and to hold the Israeli occupation accountable for its actions.”
The killing of Aysar al-Saadi has sent shockwaves throughout the Palestinian community, with many mourning the loss of a respected leader and fighter. The situation in the West Bank remains volatile, with many fearing that the escalation of violence will only lead to more bloodshed and chaos.
Source:
https://www.siasat.com/israeli-army-kills-hamas-commander-in-west-bank-3189814/
