WEST BANK: An Israeli air strike killed six Palestinians in occupied West Bank, Palestinian Health Ministry said, as Israel said one of its soldiers had been killed, during visit to region by US Secretary of State Antony Blinken.

Israel said its aircraft fired on Palestinian fighters who had attacked troops in city of Jenin, while Palestinian Ministry said strike targeted people who had gathered at site and eyewitnesses said attack happened as Israeli forces were withdrawing.

“One of martyrs was decapitated,” Mujahid Nazzal, Palestinian doctor and first responder at scene told Reuters. “It seemed missile directly hit him. Others had their limbs severed. Seventh person was seriously injured and taken by ambulance.”

Another witness, Ahmed Suleiman, said, “Air strike happened at entrance of Jenin in an area called Martyr’s Triangle. You can see effects of missile. Blood and body parts scattered everywhere.” Four of those killed were brothers, according to family members.

An Israeli border police officer was killed and others wounded when their vehicle was hit by an explosive device during operations in Jenin, Israeli military and police said.

Hundreds of Palestinians have been killed in clashes with Israeli soldiers and settlers over past weeks and security forces have made thousands of arrests. Blinken’s tour, which started with meetings with leaders of Turkey and Greece will take him to several Arab states as well as Israel and occupied West Bank.

Published in The Daily National Courier, January, 08 2024

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