Israeli forces killed three Palestinians, according to Palestinian authorities, in clashes early Tuesday morning in the occupied West Bank, the scene of an upsurge in violence in recent months.
The Israeli army claimed that it responded to the attack by "troublemakers" in two separate incidents.
The first took place in Beit Ummar, near Hebron, a city in the southern West Bank where there are strong tensions between Israeli settlers and the Palestinian population. The second, in Kafr Ein, near Ramallah, headquarters of the Palestinian Authority.
In Beit Ummar, according to the Palestinian Ministry of Health, a Palestinian died after being hit by an Israeli shot to the head.
The Israeli army said in a statement that it opened fire, without causing casualties, at people who were throwing stones and explosive devices at the soldiers after two military vehicles, on patrol near Beit Ummar, were blocked due to a technical problem.
In Kafr Ein, Jawad and Dhafer Abdul Rahman Rimawi, two brothers aged 22 and 21 respectively, were shot dead by the Israeli army, according to the Palestinian ministry.
The Palestinian Minister of Civil Affairs, Hussein Al Sheikh, tweeted that it was a "cold blooded execution" and he crossed it out "horrible crime".
For its part, the Israeli army spoke of a "violent riot" That had place "during routine activities" of the Israeli Defense Forces, near Kafr Ein. "Suspects threw stones and Molotov cocktails in the direction of the soldiers, who responded with riot dispersal equipment and live bullets."he claimed.
Boiling point
"We are aware of information about two dead Palestinians. The incident is being analyzed"he added.
Following these clashes, the Palestinian Islamist movement Hamas, which is in power in the Gaza Strip and has supporters in the West Bank, said in a statement that the "climbing" Israeli would face a "growing resistance" by the Palestinians.
Violence has escalated in recent months in the West Bank, a Palestinian territory occupied by Israel since 1967.
After the deadly attacks in March and April in Israel and other subsequent attacks, the Israeli army has multiplied its incursions into the West Bank, especially in the areas of Jenin and Nablus (north), strongholds of armed groups.
These operations, and the clashes they generate, have left more than 125 Palestinians dead, the highest number of victims in seven years, according to the UN.
The conflict has again reached a boiling point, the UN mediator for the Middle East, Tor Wennesland, declared Monday on the eve of the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People.
These clashes come as negotiations to form a new government in Israel are taking place between Prime Minister-designate Benjamin Netanyahu, at the head of the right-wing Likud party, and his ultra-Orthodox and far-right allies, who led the legislative elections. on November 1, ahead of the centrist side of Yair Lapid.
Itamar Ben Gvir, one of the leaders of the extreme right – who won a record 14 seats in Parliament – advocates that the Israeli forces use more violence against the "terrorism".