RAMALLAH, May 10 (Xinhua) -- Two Palestinians were killed early Wednesday by Israeli soldiers in the town of Qabatiya near the northern West Bank city of Jenin, said Palestinian medics and eyewitnesses.
A short video on social media showed that the bodies of the two young men were covered with blood right after they were shot dead during fierce clashes that broke out in Qabatiya.
Local sources and eyewitnesses said that a troop of Israeli soldiers backed by armored vehicles stormed the center of Qabatiya to arrest Palestinians wanted by Israeli security forces for alleged involvement in attacks against Israel.
They added that heavy clashes and exchanges of fire took place in the town between Palestinian militants and Israeli soldiers. Explosions and intensive gunfire were heard in the town.
The eyewitnesses also said that a third Palestinian was seriously injured and was arrested by the Israeli soldiers before they pulled out from the town.
Since early January, the Israeli army has been carrying out daily raids on Palestinian towns, villages, and refugee camps to arrest Palestinians allegedly involved in attacks against Israel.
The Palestinian Ministry of Health said in a press statement that since January, more than 100 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli soldiers during the daily raids on Palestinian areas.
Meanwhile, according to Israeli data, 19 Israelis were killed during the same period.
The raids in Qabatiya town came amid growing tension between Israel and the Palestinian Islamic Jihad movement in the Gaza Strip, which had resulted in the deaths of 15 Palestinians, including five militants and 10 civilians. ■
