Israeli strike kills three Palestinians in Jenin, West Bank
This digest was compiled by AI from multiple sources — links to the originals are below.
An Israeli drone strike killed three Palestinians in Jenin on Friday, including a man the military identified as Hamas operative Qais Bitawi. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu praised the attack as a successful thwarting, while Hamas condemned it and called for an end to Israeli crimes.
Key Facts
- The Israeli military said it eliminated three people in Jenin on Friday, identifying one as Hamas operative Qais Bitawi and two as his accomplices.
- Palestinian Islamic Jihad said Bitawi was a senior operative of its armed wing, not a Hamas member.
- The Palestine Red Crescent said Israeli troops raided the strike site, briefly detained medics, and prevented them from transporting the wounded or killed.
- Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz said the Jenin camp has been evacuated of residents and the military is permanently stationed there.
The Strike
The Israeli military said it targeted a car carrying the three men in Jenin. The Palestinian Wafa news agency reported the drone strike hit a house under construction in the western area of Jenin City, killing three Palestinians instantly. Photos from AFP showed Israeli soldiers removing a body from a house under construction on the outskirts of Jenin.
Official Reactions
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu celebrated the strike on X, calling it a successful thwarting of the three targeted individuals. Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz congratulated the military, police, and Shin Bet, and said the Jenin camp has been evacuated of residents. Hamas condemned the strike, mourning the martyrs who fell in the occupation's bombing of Jenin and calling on the international community to stop these crimes and end impunity.
2 sources
Israeli strike kills three Palestinians in Jenin, West Bank
