Israeli Forces Kill Five ‘Terrorists’ During West Bank Mosque Operation

On August 29, the Israeli military reported that as part of an ongoing counter-terrorism campaign in the West Bank, soldiers killed five individuals described as “terrorists” within a mosque. This announcement comes amidst a rising death toll during the operation that has drawn criticism from humanitarian organizations around the world.

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) initiated its operations in the occupied Palestinian territories on Tuesday night, resulting in a growing number of casualties. In a statement released Thursday, the IDF indicated that the five alleged terrorists were killed during a firefight in Tulkarm, situated in the western part of the West Bank.

One of the deceased was identified as the leader of a terrorist organization based in the Nur Shams refugee camp in northwestern West Bank. Reports indicate that an Israeli soldier was also lightly injured at the conclusion of the operation and subsequently received medical attention. An additional arrest was made during this operation, according to IDF Arabic spokesperson Avichay Adraee.

During the overnight activities in the Far’a refugee camp, soldiers discovered a laboratory that was allegedly used for producing explosive devices concealed within the Abu Bakr al-Siddiq mosque. Adraee explained that the dangerous explosives found posed a significant risk to both military personnel and local residents, prompting engineering units to destroy the devices on-site without causing harm to the prayer hall or any sacred areas. A fire did occur during the operation, but it was quickly extinguished.

The Palestinian WAFA news agency reported that at least 17 Palestinians have been killed, with over 30 more injured during the military actions, marking the operation as one of the largest incursions into Palestinian territories since 2002. Kamal Abu al-Rub, the governor of Jenin, stated that Israeli forces have effectively besieged his city, with reports of streets being bulldozed, residents’ vehicles and homes being destroyed, and widespread devastation throughout the area.

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres expressed that the situation in the West Bank is “deeply concerning.” He condemned the loss of life, including that of children, and called for an immediate cessation of these military operations, while reiterating the necessity for an end to the Israeli occupation. “Only an end to the occupation and a return to a meaningful political process that will establish a two-state solution will bring an end to the violence,” Guterres stated.

Similarly, the United Nations Human Rights Office condemned the military actions as violations of international law, warning that they risk further escalating an already volatile situation. Amnesty International has also raised alarms, suggesting that the ongoing military operations are poised to escalate deadly violence and increase the brunt of living loss among Palestinians. Erika Guevara Rosas, a senior director at Amnesty International, remarked that this comprehensive military assault on various cities and towns across the West Bank follows a troubling trend of unlawful killings by Israeli forces in recent months, further endangering Palestinian lives.

Amnesty International warned that such military actions could lead to a rise in forced displacement, destruction of critical infrastructure, and collective punishment measures—key components underpinning Israel’s system of apartheid against Palestinians under a prolonged occupation.

The West Bank has been occupied by Israel since the Six-Day War in 1967, with the resulting constructions of settlement outposts frequently condemned by the international community and considered illegal under international law. The heightened violence in recent months has intensified amid Israel’s military response against Hamas, which escalated following the brutal assault on Israel on October 7.

According to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, there have been 622 fatalities among Palestinians in the West Bank since the onset of the conflict, with 602 deaths attributed to Israeli forces.