Mourners and relatives carry the bodies of two Palestinian young men Saleh Ammar, 19, and Ra'ed Abu Seif, 21, during their funeral, in the West Bank city of Jenin, Aug. 16, 2021. Four Palestinians were killed on Monday in clashes with Israeli soldiers in the northern West Bank city of Jenin, the Palestinian local authority said. (Photo by Ayman Nobani/Xinhua)
RAMALLAH, Aug. 16 (Xinhua) -- Four Palestinians were killed on Monday in clashes with Israeli soldiers in the northern West Bank city of Jenin, the Palestinian local authority said.
Akram Rajoub, governor of Jenin, said that Israeli soldiers killed four Palestinian men early in the day after the soldiers stormed the city and clashed with dozens of Palestinians.
He added that two of the killed were taken to hospital in Jenin, with the bodies of the other two held by the Israeli army.
In a press statement, the Palestinian health ministry said that Saleh Ammar, aged 19, and 21-year-old Ra'ed Abu Seif from Jenin were killed, and that two others are in serious condition and receiving medical treatment.
Eyewitnesses told Xinhua that an Israeli army force stormed Jenin at predawn and clashed with Palestinian militants, adding that they heard intensive gunfire and explosions.
A spokesperson with the Israeli Border Police said in a statement that clashes erupted as its undercover forces attempted to carry out an arrest. "During an operation to arrest wanted persons, heavy fire from close range was opened at the forces," the statement read.
According to the Border Police, the troops returned fire "and hit five terrorists," with no Israeli troops injured.
Israel Radio reported that the Israeli army has been preparing for a military operation in Jenin following previous clashes with Palestinian gunmen in the city.
In early August, Israeli troops shot and injured six Palestinians during a similar raid, according to the Palestinian health ministry.
Israel seized the West Bank during the 1967 Middle East war and continues to occupy it despite international criticism. Enditem
