Israeli Raid on West Bank Refugee Camp Kills 6, Palestinians Say

An Israeli raid on a refugee camp in the occupied West Bank has left six Palestinians dead, the Palestinian Authority’s Ministry of Health said on Wednesday. They were the latest casualties in a surge of violence in the territory since the war in Gaza began on Oct. 7.

The Israeli military said that its forces had carried out “counterterrorism activity” in the Nur Shams refugee camp overnight. The military said that its aircraft had struck “terrorists who hurled explosive devices at the forces.” It was not possible to independently verify the military’s account.

Israeli forces have conducted near-daily raids in the occupied West Bank since Hamas launched the Oct. 7 terrorist attack from Gaza that killed about 1,200 people in Israel. In response, the Israeli authorities have severely restricted movement within the West Bank and revoked work permits for Palestinian residents of the territory who hold jobs in Israel.

Israel has described its West Bank raids as an extension of the war against Hamas in Gaza, saying that pockets of the West Bank have been strongholds for terrorist activity. The operations have also led to a surge in arrests, with many of the detainees being held without charge or trial.

More than 280 Palestinians have been killed in the West Bank since Oct. 7, mostly by Israeli forces, but also in clashes with armed Israeli settlers, who Palestinians say have become increasingly emboldened and violent since the Hamas attacks.