At least 11 Palestinians have been killed and 102 injured after Israeli troops stormed the city of Nablus in the northern West Bank on Wednesday, the Palestinian health ministry said on its official Facebook page.
The fatalities included 72-year-old Adnan Baarah and 16-year-old Mohammed Shaaban, the ministry said, adding that at least six of those injured were in critical condition.
Israeli occupation forces entered Nablus early in the morning from the Huwarra military checkpoint and attacked the Al-Souq Al-Sharqi area.
The Palestinian armed group Islamic Jihad said two of its commanders in Nablus and other fighters had been encircled in a house by Israeli forces.
The troops surrounded the house leading to intense fighting between the two sides. Israeli forces then launched an anti-tank shell at the house, resulting in a huge explosion, according to sources.
Israel welcomed an extreme-right-wing government to power last November, which has seen Israeli violence in the region intensify, with at least 50 Palestinians killed by Israeli forces in 2023 alone.
Nablus had emerged as one of the main centres of resistance against Israeli occupation. The Lions' Den group, which is unaffiliated with established Palestinian armed groups, was formed last year to resist Israeli incursions.