Clashes Between Israeli Forces and Palestinians Continue in the West Bank and Gaza

Israeli forces killed three Palestinians in two areas of the West Bank on Wednesday, March 14, bringing the total number of Palestinians killed in the occupied territories that day to six. According to Reuters, violence in the West Bank has worsened since the outbreak of war in Gaza. The war in Gaza began after Hamas militants attacked Israel on October 6, resulting in the deaths of at least 1,200 people, most of whom were civilians. Militants from this group, supported by the Islamic Republic, also took over 250 hostages, including infants and the elderly, and transferred them to Gaza. Youssef Nimer, who witnessed the Israeli forces' nighttime operation in the city of Jenin in the West Bank, told Reuters that Israeli forces fired at his companions outside a hospital. He, a 16-year-old, was reported injured. According to the report, Israeli police stated that on Wednesday night, an armed civilian guard and a soldier shot a 15-year-old Palestinian suspected of a knife attack at a military checkpoint between Jerusalem and Bethlehem in the West Bank. The Israeli ambulance service reported that two security personnel sustained minor to moderate injuries from knife wounds and were taken to the hospital. Israeli police announced that Israeli forces shot a 13-year-old Palestinian from a refugee camp on the outskirts of Jerusalem at night, and the Palestinian Red Crescent reported that two other Palestinians were killed at a checkpoint. The police stated that the boy was shot after targeting fireworks at the forces stationed at a lookout post. In the checkpoint shooting, police said that five individuals were seen using explosives and intended to throw them onto the road, prompting Israeli forces to fire at them and arrest the suspects. Since the beginning of the Gaza war, Israel has increased its attacks in the West Bank, and UN statistics show that at least 358 people have been killed in the West Bank since October 6. According to Reuters, health officials in Gaza have also reported that 88 others were killed and 135 injured in the latest Israeli airstrikes. Health officials in Gaza, controlled by Hamas, stated that Israeli air and ground attacks on Gaza have left over 31,000 dead and more than 72,000 injured so far. Israel emphasizes that thousands of Hamas fighters have been killed and asserts that this militant group uses civilians as human shields. Meanwhile, Reuters reported that UN investigations indicate that an Israeli tank killed Issam Abdullah, a reporter for the agency, on October 13 in Lebanon by firing two 120mm shells at a group of journalists who were 'clearly identifiable.' Reuters described this action as a violation of international law. An Israeli army spokesperson stated that Hezbollah attacked Israel on that date, and the army responded with artillery and tank fire, later receiving reports that journalists were injured. He added that Israel regrets any injury to non-combatants and does not intentionally fire at civilians, including journalists. The spokesperson emphasized that Israel values press freedom highly while clarifying that being in a war zone is dangerous. He stated that the truth-finding and assessment mechanism of the General Staff, responsible for investigating exceptional events, continues to examine this incident. Associated Press reports: Little evidence of the start of Ramadan is seen in the Old City of Jerusalem. The UN Human Rights Office: Israeli settlements in Palestinian areas are 'war crimes.' Israeli forces raid Ramallah; Palestinian sources claim a 16-year-old was killed. Israeli Defense Minister: The Islamic Republic and Hamas intend to carry out 'the second part of the October 6 attack' during Ramadan. The shooting of three Palestinians at vehicles in Israel left one dead and 11 injured.