26-year-old Palestinian killed in Israeli raid in West Bank

Palestinian health officials on Sunday said a Palestinian man was killed during an Israeli raid in the West Bank city of Nablus, while the Israeli military said its troops had fired at "terrorists".

The occupied West Bank has been gripped by almost daily violence since the start of the Gaza war in October 2023, involving both Israeli troops and settlers.

The Ramallah-based Palestinian health ministry identified the victim as 26-year-old Nayef Firas Ziad Samaro.

"He was killed and four others were injured by live ammunition during an incursion by Israeli forces in the city of Nablus," the ministry said.

The Rafidia hospital in Ramallah confirmed Samaro's death.

"He was brought in critical condition, and doctors' attempts to save his life failed," Fouad Nafaa, the director of Rafidia hospital, told AFP.

Eyewitnesses said troops entered several neighbourhoods in the city centre and began searching shops, then left briefly before returning.

Clashes broke out when a handful of youngsters started throwing stones at the army vehicles, with the troops responding with tear gas and live bullets, they said.

The Palestinian Red Crescent said 40 others were also treated for tear gas inhalation.

The military said a violent confrontation erupted during a counter-terrorism operation in Nablus.

"Several terrorists hurled rocks toward the soldiers, posing a threat to them," the military said.

"The soldiers responded with riot dispersal means, and subsequently with fire toward the terrorists in order to remove the threat and disperse the gathering.

"Several hits were identified," it said.

At least 1,069 Palestinians, including militants and civilians, have been killed by Israeli soldiers or settlers since the Gaza war began following Hamas' October 2023 attack, according to an AFP tally based on Palestinian Authority figures.

Official Israeli figures say at least 46 Israelis, including soldiers and civilians, have been killed in Palestinian attacks or during Israeli military operations in the same period.

Agence France-Presse