Palestinian Authority says three killed in Israeli forces' attack in West Bank

Palestinian Authority officials reported that Israeli forces killed three men in attacks on the West Bank on Wednesday night and Thursday morning, May 26 and 27, while inspecting currency exchange offices. The Israeli army did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Reuters. Meanwhile, Palestinian residents and militants stated that Israeli tanks attempted to enter the heart of Jabalia in northern Gaza on Thursday, facing resistance from anti-tank rockets and mortars fired by militants in the area. According to them, Israeli forces also targeted Rafah in southern Gaza without making any advances. In this context, Hamas's military wing claimed that its militants destroyed an Israeli military personnel carrier in Jabalia with an anti-tank rocket, causing casualties. Reuters could not immediately confirm this claim, and no immediate comment was provided by Israel. Israel claims to have killed many militants in Jabalia but did not issue a new statement regarding developments in that area on Thursday. According to Reuters, these clashes highlight the difficulties faced by Benjamin Netanyahu in his goal of eradicating Hamas and Islamic Jihad after seven months of war. Militants from both groups have managed to carry out attacks in northern Gaza—the focal point of Israel's initial assault—and new battlefields such as Rafah in southern Gaza using underground tunnels. Health officials in Gaza, controlled by Hamas, stated that the death toll in Gaza has exceeded 35,000, mostly civilians, and malnutrition has spread in the area. In response, Israel accuses this Iran-backed group of using civilians as human shields. Israeli attacks on Gaza began following assaults by Hamas militants on Israel on October 6 of last year. Following these attacks, at least 1,200 people were killed, most of whom were civilians. Hamas militants also took over 250 hostages, including the elderly and children. About 100 hostages were released last year following a one-week ceasefire in Gaza. Meanwhile, Israel claims that Hamas diverts humanitarian aid from their designated targets regarding criticisms of malnutrition in Gaza. Ceasefire negotiations and discussions on hostage release have reached a stalemate. Ismail Haniyeh, the leader of Hamas, stated that his group, which has governed Gaza since 2007, must continue its role in the region. The Palestinian Authority, which Western leaders want to oversee Gaza, claims it does not even have enough money to perform its current duties in the West Bank. Meanwhile, Yoav Gallant, Israel's Defense Minister, openly challenged Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu regarding his plans for the post-war period in Gaza. He stated that he opposes any long-term Israeli military rule over the devastated region of Gaza. Haniyeh claims that any plan for 'post-war Gaza' without Hamas's participation is doomed to fail. The European Union has urged Israel to immediately cease operations in Rafah; Netanyahu stated that it must be done. Netanyahu also claimed that the Islamic Republic was 'surprised' by the failure of its weapons in attacking Israel.