In a recent incident in the occupied West Bank, Israeli forces killed three individuals associated with Palestinian armed groups inside Jenin hospital. The Israeli military claimed the men were hiding in the hospital, planning an imminent attack. The Palestinian Authority’s health ministry accused Israel of a “new massacre inside hospitals,” while Hamas stated that Israeli forces had “executed three fighters,” including one of its members. Palestinian Islamic Jihad reported that two of the deceased were its members, one of whom had been receiving treatment at the hospital.
Security camera footage from Ibn Sina hospital captured members of an Israeli undercover unit, both men and women, swiftly moving through a corridor with weapons raised. The tension in the West Bank has escalated since the October 7 attacks, marked by frequent Israeli arrest raids and clashes with Palestinians, particularly in Jenin.
Since October 7, Israeli forces have reportedly killed at least 357 Palestinians in the West Bank, including militants, civilians, and attackers, while Israeli settlers have been responsible for at least eight deaths. Conversely, Palestinians from the West Bank have carried out attacks resulting in the deaths of at least 10 Israelis in the same period.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) asserted that the Hamas suspect killed in the hospital had planned an attack inspired by the October 7th massacre, referencing an incident where Hamas gunmen invaded Israel from Gaza, resulting in numerous casualties. This event triggered Israel’s military campaign in Gaza, aimed at dismantling Hamas. The Hamas-run health ministry in Gaza reported a significant number of Palestinian casualties during the Israeli offensive.
The official Palestinian news agency, Wafa, described the hospital deaths as “assassinations.” According to sources within the hospital, around 10 members of Israeli special forces, disguised in civilian attire, reached the third floor and used silenced weapons to kill the men. Additionally, one of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad members had been undergoing treatment for an injury since October 25.
The incident raises questions about the methods employed by both Israeli forces and armed Palestinian groups, contributing to the ongoing tensions in the region. International organizations and leaders must respond with concern over the situation, emphasizing the need for dialogue and diplomatic efforts to address the underlying issues fueling the conflict.