RAMALLAH: Israeli forces on Thursday killed four Palestinians, including a teenager in the occupied West Bank, the Palestinian health ministry said, the latest deadly raid on Jenin.

The Israeli army said troops “neutralised” two suspected militants, accusing them of “terrorist activities”.

In a separate development, the United Arab Emirates announced it would support reconstruction of a Palestinian town in the occupied West Bank and announced $3 million for the purpose.

The Palestinian health ministry said 23 others had been wounded in the raid in the northern West Bank city, five of them seriously.

UAE to spend $3m on reconstruction of Huwara town

It identified those killed as Omar Awadin, 16; Luay al-Zughair, 37; Nidal Khazim, 28 and Youssef Shreem, 29.

The army statement said Khazim and Shreem were both residents of the Jenin refugee camp and members of Islamic Jihad.

The raid comes days before a planned meeting between Palestinian and Israeli officials on Sunday in the Egyptian resort of Sharm el-Sheikh for talks aimed at reducing tensions ahead of the holy month of Ramazan.

Islamist movement Hamas, which rules in the Israeli-blockaded Gaza Strip, called the latest raid a “crime”, warning it will not go “unanswered”.

Israeli forces have launched numerous raids on the city of Jenin and its eponymous refugee camp in recent months targeting Palestinian fighters.

These raids have killed more than 20 Palestinians since the start of the year.

UAE pledge

Meanwhile, the UAE pledged $3m to support the reconstruction of a Palestinian town in the occupied West Bank that was raided by Israeli settlers, state media said on Thursday.

Deadly violence and arson by settlers targeted the town of Huwara late last month, hours after two Israeli settlers were shot dead by an alleged Hamas fighter as they drove along a road that passes through the area.

Thirty houses were burned and damaged, according to local officials, after dozens of Israeli settlers set them ablaze.

Emirati President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan ordered “the provision of $3 million to support the reconstruction, the official WAM news agency said.

The initiative reflects “the UAE’s humanitarian efforts to support the brotherly Palestinian people”, it added.

Published in Dawn, March 17th, 2023