Nine Palestinians were killed and others injured after a raid by Israeli special forces in the northern West Bank city of Jenin.
The Israeli army claims to have killed three members of the militant organization Islamic Jihad, suspected of planning “multiple major terrorist attacks” as well as other gunmen in the camp.
An elderly woman was also reportedly killed and Palestinian officials accused Israeli forces of using tear gas inside a children’s ward.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) did not comment on the allegations, but said they were investigating the woman’s death. No IDF casualties were reported.
“During the operation to apprehend the terrorists, other armed suspects opened fire in the direction of the security forces, who responded with live fire,” the IDF said.
Mahmoud Abbas, the president of the Palestinian Authority, called for three days of mourning to mark the dead.
Tor Wennesland, the UN special coordinator in Jerusalem, said he was “deeply alarmed and saddened by the continuing cycle of violence”. He urged both sides to “immediately reduce tensions”.
Israeli security forces are reportedly on alert for a response from the Gaza Strip following the Jenin raid on Thursday morning.
Jenin has been a regular flashpoint during months of escalating violence in the West Bank. 29 Palestinians have been killed this month, including five children.
Israel’s new government, only a few weeks old, is one of the most right-wing in the country’s history and has already toughened its policy towards the Palestinians, including cutting some tax revenues and pledging to increase construction of settlements in the occupied territories.
Palestinians inspect damaged vehicles
The government has also been challenged by large protests in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem against proposed changes to the judicial system which, if they were to go ahead, would see power shift from judges to elected politicians.
Antony Blinken, the US secretary of state, is due to visit Israel and the West Bank next week, and the White House has not urged any side to take any action that could escalate the fragile situation.
