ISLAMABAD/WEST BANK: Two Israeli soldiers were injured on Saturday in a drive-by shooting claimed by a Palestinian armed group in the flashpoint town of Huwara in the occupied West Bank.
The Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PLFP), in a statement, claimed responsibility for the shooting. The Israeli military has said it is in pursuit of the suspect.
It was the third shooting incident reported around Huwara within a month, prompting fears of escalation during the holy Muslim month of Ramadan that partly coincides with the Jewish holiday of Passover – a time when violence has triggered in the past.
The first Friday Ramadan prayers at the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound ended peacefully despite Israel’s movement restrictions. But the Israeli police said Saturday night that they had entered the mosque compound to remove some worshippers who they said were planning to “violate public order” and cause disruption in early morning prayers and visits by Israelis and tourists.
Palestinian or Muslim officials, who have in the past condemned Israeli forces entering the shrine, did not immediately responded to the incident.
Israeli violence against Palestinians
On Thursday, Israeli forces killed a 25-year-old Palestinian man during a raid southeast of Tulkarm in the occupied West Bank.
Over the past year, Israeli forces have made thousands of arrests in the West Bank and killed hundreds of Palestinians, while around 40 Israelis and three Ukrainians have died in Palestinian attacks.
