Deadly Israeli Military Attack on West Bank Causes Violent Escalation in Conflict

On Friday (01.27.2023), Israel bombarded the Gaza Strip in response to militant rocket fire from the Palestinian enclave, further raising tensions after a deadly Israeli military attack in the West Bank. 2 rockets were fired into Israel early Friday from the Gaza Strip, with no damage or casualties, after Palestinian militias threatened revenge for 9 Palestinian deaths at the hands of the Israeli forces.

Following the attack, Palestinian National Authority (PNA) terminated Security coordination with Israel, while Hamas and Islamic Jihad warned with a rapid retaliatory action from Gaza. Israeli Army went on alert and reinforced its defenses in response.

The deadly assault in the occupied West Bank occurred this Thursday, with violent clashes between Israeli troops and local militants resulting in 9 deaths and 20 injuries. This event was described as a “massacre” by the PNA, who called on all Palestinian factions to act together.

After the funerals of the fatalities, clashes broke out between Palestinians and Israeli forces in various parts of the West Bank, leading to another death and 7 further injuries. The escalation of violence in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict occurs before the visit to Israel and the West Bank scheduled for next Monday by the US Secretary of State, Antony Blinken.