Two Palestinians killed as Israeli forces storm West Bank city
The military said troops opened fire and "eliminated" two Palestinians who had attempted to steal a soldier's weapon as the "counterterrorism operation" was underway in the old city of Nablus.
The Palestinian health ministry said authorities had been informed by Israel of the deaths of Nidal Amira, 40, and Khaled Amira, 35. It did not specify whether the two were related.
The Israeli military said one soldier was "moderately injured" and three others lightly in the incident.
AFPTV footage showed Israeli soldiers standing in one of the old city's narrow streets, next to two dead bodies.
An AFP journalist said dozens of military vehicles entered Nablus's historic centre shortly after midnight (2100 GMT Monday). A curfew had been announced over loudspeakers the day before.
At a major square outside the old city, young men and boys gathered on Tuesday to burn tyres and throw stones at the Israeli armoured vehicles.
The Palestine Red Crescent Society said that during the Israeli raid, at least three people were injured from bullet shrapnel, four from "physical assault", and dozens more from tear gas inhalation.
It added that ambulances were blocked from entering the old city, obstructing the work of medical teams.
Israel said in a statement that its forces had searched "250 structures" and arrested "six wanted individuals" during Tuesday's operation.
The northern West Bank, where Nablus is located, has been the target of a major Israeli offensive since late January.
Israel has occupied the West Bank since 1967 and its forces regularly carry out raids that authorities say target Palestinian militants.
An AFP correspondent in Nablus saw Israeli soldiers searching shops and detaining several people for questioning on Tuesday.
The correspondent said Israeli flags were raised over the roofs of buildings taken over by the troops and used as temporary bases.
Violence has surged in the West Bank since the start of the Gaza war, triggered by the unprecedented October 7, 2023 attack on Israel by the Palestinian Islamist movement Hamas.
The Palestinian Authority says at least 938 Palestinians, including fighters but also many civilians, have been killed in the West Bank by Israeli soldiers or settlers since October 2023.
Over the same period, at least 35 Israelis including civilians and soldiers have been killed in Palestinian attacks or during Israeli military raids, according to official Israeli figures.
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Withdrawing from the NPT risks further isolation since a UN Security Council resolution could see sanctions that add further burdens to Iran's long-suffering population. 'Suspending inspections is a violation [of the NPT],' said Dorsey. 'This is not a free membership, you sign up to obligations and those obligations include the degree of enrichment and they include inspections.' While some members of the international community may understand Iran's position in the immediate aftermath of the devastating Israeli and US strikes, there will be pressure on Iran to fall in line with its nuclear commitments. 'If Iran does not comply, it's going to be interpreted as retaining the freedom to develop a weapon,' said Dorsey. 'Iran is a country that has been sanctioned for much of the existence of the Islamic Republic since 1979. Let's be clear about it, in that sense, Iran is its own worst enemy.'
