5 killed by Israeli troops in West Bank raid

IANS May 16, 2025 448 views

In a significant military operation, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) killed five Palestinians in Tammun, West Bank. The IDF claimed those killed were linked to major terrorist activities, and firearms were seized during the raid. This action followed an attack on an Israeli couple that heightened tensions in the region. With no immediate response from Palestinian officials, the situation remains volatile, amid continued Israeli military operations and escalations in West Bank violence.

"The military said its forces came under fire while targeting two buildings." - Xinhua News Agency
Jerusalem, May 16: Israeli forces killed five Palestinians during a raid in the West Bank town of Tammun, the military said, describing the dead as militants involved in what it called "significant terrorist activity".

Key Points

1

Israeli Defense Forces operate with elite Duvdevan unit

2

IDF claims targeted raids on armed operatives in Tammun and Tubas

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Increased tensions following attack on Israeli woman in West Bank

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Ongoing manhunt for perpetrators of West Bank shooting

In a statement, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said on Thursday that its elite Duvdevan "undercover unit," operating alongside Border Police and under the direction of the Shin Bet security agency, launched coordinated raids in Tammun and the nearby city of Tubas.

The military said its forces came under fire while targeting two buildings allegedly used by armed operatives, Xinhua news agency reported.

An exchange of fire followed, during which the troops used shoulder-fired missiles.

Five individuals were killed and another was detained, the statement said.

The IDF reported the seizure of three M-16 rifles and four military vests.

There was no immediate comment from Palestinian officials on the identities or affiliations of those killed.

In another operation in Tubas, Israeli forces said they arrested three more individuals and confiscated additional weapons, including six M-16 rifles, a pistol, magazines, hand grenades, improvised explosive devices, and gas canisters.

The raids came just hours after the death of an Israeli woman who was shot in the West Bank while in late-stage pregnancy.

The woman, 37-year-old Tzeela Gez, was critically wounded in a shooting on Wednesday night and died early Thursday at Beilinson Hospital near Tel Aviv.

Doctors performed an emergency caesarean section to deliver the baby, who was transferred to a children's hospital for further treatment.

Gez's husband sustained minor injuries.

The couple had been driving between the Israeli settlements of Brukhin and Peduel at the time of the attack.

Israeli forces said a manhunt was underway for the gunman.

Tensions have surged in the West Bank since the outbreak of the Israel-Hamas conflict in Gaza on October 7, 2023.

The Israeli military has intensified its operations in northern areas of the West Bank, amid a rise in settler violence and near-daily clashes with Palestinian groups.

According to international humanitarian organisations, nearly 1,000 Palestinians have been killed in the occupied West Bank since the start of the Gaza war.

Israel captured East Jerusalem, along with the rest of the West Bank, in the 1967 Six-Day War.

Under international law, East Jerusalem is considered occupied Palestinian territory, and its annexation by Israel is deemed illegal.

Reader Comments

R
Rahul K.
This cycle of violence is heartbreaking. While Israel has right to defend itself, the heavy-handed military response only creates more militants. Both sides need to find a political solution. India has shown how to deal with insurgency through development - maybe they should study our Northeast model.
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Priya M.
Tragic about the pregnant woman 😢 No mother should lose her life like this. But also, 5 more families destroyed in retaliation. When will this end? India has always supported Palestine cause, but we must condemn violence from both sides. Praying for peace 🙏
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Amit S.
The West Bank situation shows why India was right to support Israel. Terrorists hide among civilians and then cry victim when counterattacked. Remember 26/11? We know this game too well. Israel is doing what any sovereign nation would do to protect its citizens.
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Neha T.
The numbers speak for themselves - 1000 Palestinians killed in West Bank alone! How is this not disproportionate response? As Indians who suffered colonial occupation, we should understand Palestinian struggle better. Free Palestine 🇵🇸
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Vikram J.
Complex situation. While Israel's security concerns are valid, their settlement expansion makes peace impossible. Reminds me of Kashmir issue - military solutions never work long term. Both sides need to compromise. Maybe India can mediate since we have good relations with both?

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Tags:
Israeli-Palestinian conflict West Bank Tammun raid Israel Defense Forces Palestinian militants Tensions rising