Israeli Airstrike Kills Three in Jenin, West Bank, Targeting Alleged Hamas Operative
Details and Aftermath of the Jenin Airstrike
Overview of the Airstrike
JENIN, West Bank, Aug 28 (Reuters) - Israel's military said it carried out an airstrike in the West Bank on Friday that killed a Palestinian it described as a Hamas militant operative as well as two of his accomplices, in a rare use of deadly Israeli air power in the occupied territory.
Reactions from Hamas and Israeli Military
Hamas condemned the strike but did not claim the person targeted — whom the Israeli military named as Qais Bitawi — as a member. The strike targeted a car in the area of Jenin in the northern West Bank, the military and medics said.
Background on Jenin and Regional Tensions
The West Bank has seen a surge in militant Israeli settler attacks on Palestinians as well as military raids into Palestinian towns. The northern West Bank, where Jenin sits, was the site of a major Israeli assault last year, which the military says was aimed at targeting militant strongholds.
Profile of Qais Bitawi and Military Claims
In a statement, the military said Bitawi was involved in directing, funding and executing attacks on Israeli civilians and security forces. It said he maintained ties with Hamas members in Gaza, where the group is based, as well as abroad.
Humanitarian Impact and Response
Ambulance Access and Medical Response
The Palestine Red Crescent ambulance service said Israeli ground troops raided the site of the drone strike, briefly detained medics and prevented them from transporting those wounded or killed to hospital.
Israel's military did not immediately provide comment on the ambulance service's statements.
Displacement and Human Rights Concerns
Israel's 2025 operations in the northern West Bank forced thousands of Palestinians from their homes, with Israeli forces clearing out refugee camps and maintaining their longest presence in some West Bank cities for decades.
Human Rights Watch has accused Israel of war crimes and crimes against humanity over what it said were forced expulsions. Israel denies committing such crimes.
Related Strikes in Gaza
Details of the Gaza Strikes
In Gaza, where the U.S. has been working to salvage a deal that would disarm Hamas militants in exchange for Israel withdrawing from the territory, at least five Palestinians were killed in three Israeli strikes on Friday, Gaza health officials said.
Casualties and Locations
Those incidents included an Israeli strike near Deir Al-Balah that killed three people from the same family; a strike on a motorbike that killed one in Gaza City; and a separate strike in Gaza City that killed one Palestinian, according to health officials.
The Israeli military did not immediately provide comment on the strikes.
Reporting Credits
(Reporting by Mohamad Torokman, Ali Sawafta, Nidal al-Mughrabi and Rami Ayyub; Editing by Andrew Heavens)
