Two Hamas and Islamic Jihad Members Killed in Clash with Israeli Army in West Bank

Israeli security forces have limited the number of Palestinian youths entering the Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem in an effort to quell unrest stemming from the war with Hamas. According to Reuters, Israeli security forces gathered around the mosque on Friday. Reuters quoted the Palestinian news agency Wafa as saying that four Palestinians were killed in clashes between Israeli soldiers and Palestinians in the West Bank. Two of the deceased were identified by militant groups as their members. Following Hamas's attack on southern Israel on October 7, which left 1,400 dead, and Israel's relentless airstrikes on Gaza, it has been the third consecutive week that Israel has restricted the number of Palestinians allowed to pray at this mosque. The report stated that approximately five thousand elderly worshippers were eventually allowed entry. Reuters quoted mosque officials saying that typically around fifty thousand people enter the mosque for Friday prayers. According to the Israeli army, during an arrest operation in the West Bank, security forces fired in response to an attack from Palestinians in the city of Jenin, resulting in the deaths of two of them. The Islamic Jihad militant group confirmed that one of them was a member of their group, and Hamas stated that one of its members was killed in the clashes in Jenin. This terrorist group is allied with Hamas and participated in the October 7 attack on Israel. The U.S., the European Union, and Israel have designated Hamas and Islamic Jihad as terrorist organizations. The Israeli army also stated in a statement that its forces in the West Bank were fired upon while shutting down a store whose owner was accused of inciting violence, and they targeted at least one person in response. According to Reuters, a protest was held in the city of Hebron in the West Bank. The Israel-Hamas war continues with Israel's second limited ground operation; Hamas reports an increase in casualties. Biden expressed concern about the situation of Palestinian civilians in the West Bank. Israeli army attacks on Gaza and southern Lebanon coincide with a meeting of Netanyahu's 'war cabinet'. Documents revealing Hamas's misuse of civilian centers to attack Israel have been released. Biden emphasized Israel's right to defend itself and the necessity to protect Palestinian civilians. Israel demolished an area organizing 'terrorist attacks' beneath a mosque in the West Bank. The Israeli army stated that the ground attack on Gaza has significantly expanded. An American official stated that Doha is ready to reconsider Hamas's presence in Qatar.