RAMALLAH, West Bank — An Israeli air strike targeted a vehicle in the occupied West Bank on Saturday, resulting in the death of a Hamas commander and four other men, according to Hamas media and the Palestinian news agency WAFA.
WAFA, citing health officials, reported that the identities of the other victims were not immediately clear.
The Israeli military confirmed it had conducted an air strike against a militant cell near the West Bank city of Tulkarm. Hamas media stated that a vehicle carrying fighters was hit, leading to the death of a commander from its Tulkarm brigades.
Violence in the West Bank has been escalating even before the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza started on October 7, with frequent Israeli raids in the area, which the Palestinians claim as part of their future state.
Tensions in the region have significantly increased this week following the assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran on Wednesday, a day after an Israeli strike in Beirut killed Hezbollah senior military commander Fuad Shukr.
Haniyeh’s death is one of several targeted killings of senior Hamas figures as the war in Gaza between Palestinian militants and Israel approaches its 11th month, raising concerns about the conflict spreading across the Middle East.
Both Hamas and Iran have accused Israel of carrying out Haniyeh’s assassination and have vowed to retaliate. Israel has neither confirmed nor denied responsibility for his death.
Hezbollah, also supported by Iran like Hamas, has pledged revenge as well.