Islamist movement claims attack near Jerusalem, Israeli soldier killed

The armed wing of Hamas, the Ezzedine al-Qassam Brigades, claimed responsibility for the attack carried out on Thursday, November 16, by three attackers on a checkpoint separating Jerusalem from the occupied West Bank, in which one Israeli soldier died and three others were injured. .

This attack was carried out “to avenge the blood of the martyrs of Gaza”, specifies the press release signed “Qassam Brigades-West Bank”. The Israeli army announced in the afternoon that the 20-year-old soldier had succumbed to his injuries following the automatic weapon attack. Three other members of the security forces were injured. “The three attackers are dead,” a police spokesperson previously said.

“Significant increase” in attacks

According to Israeli police, “three terrorists arriving by car from the West Bank fired on security forces”. “Given the amount of ammunition, guns and axes found in the car, it appears that the attackers were planning a major attack or massacre in Israel”Israeli police chief Kobi Shabtai told reporters.

In the West Bank, a Palestinian territory occupied since 1967 by Israel, more than 190 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli settlers and soldiers since October 7, according to the Palestinian Ministry of Health. The Israeli army is increasing raids and incursions there, claiming to respond to a “significant increase in terrorist attacks” in the West Bank with “more than 550 attempted attacks since the start of the war.”

Israel is fighting Hamas in the Gaza Strip, where the Palestinian Islamist movement took power in 2007. The West Bank is led by the Palestinian Authority of President Mahmoud Abbas.