In a rare occurrence, Israel carried out a daytime raid in the West Bank city of Nablus, which appears to have not gone according to plan, with 10 Palestinians killed and 102 injured. Israel oftentimes launches raids at night, and so it is rare to see them operate so openly in the daytime. The raid was originally targeting 2 wanted ‘Lions Den’ militants. Dozens of Israeli armoured vehicles moved into the city and began the raid at 10AM local time. Entrances to the city were blocked. Soon after the raid began, clashes broke out between Israeli forces and other Lions Den militants. Many Palestinian civilians also hurled rocks, among other objects, at the Israeli vehicles.
Police publish footage of Yamam officers operating in Nablus this morning, during the raid against Lion's Den members and clashes with other gunmen in the city. pic.twitter.com/veaQiDBJJQ
— Emanuel (Mannie) Fabian (@manniefabian) February 22, 2023
The two militants they were looking for were killed in the raid, and their house practically destroyed. The chaos from the ensuing clashes culminated when, according to witnesses, Israeli troops began firing indiscriminately. Witnesses say Israeli troops fired at the neighbours, local houses, and people walking in the street. Footage is also circulating of one of the Israeli carriers running into a crowd that was hurling objects at them.
An armored #Israeli vehicle deliberately rams into a Palestinian crowd who were posing ZERO threat, during an army raid on #Nablus.
IDF's been teargassing the area at random.
5 Palestinians have been injured by live fire.In 2023, Israel killed 49 Palestinians, per @EuroMedHR pic.twitter.com/vu0vu1iLI6
— Muhammad Shehada (@muhammadshehad2) February 22, 2023
82 of the 102 injured were from live-fire ammunition, 6 of them are in critical condition, says the Palestinian Health Ministry.
Later in the day a large funeral was held for those killed. It drew massive crowds, including members of the Lions Den.
Nablus, West Bank
Chants for Muhammad al-Deif and the lion's den during the mass funeral
“Put the sword upon the sword, and we are the men of Mohammed Deif* ” pic.twitter.com/8U9VUGPhCi
— Younis | ???? (@ytirawi) February 22, 2023
According to the Palestinian Health Ministry, the names and ages for those killed are Adnan Sabe’ Baara, 72; Mohammad Khaled Anbousi, 25; Tamer Minawi, 33; Musab Owais, 26; Hossam Isleem, 24; Mohammad Abdulghani, 23; Waleed Dakheel, 23; Abdulhadi Ashqar, 61; Jasser Abdelwahab Qan’eer, 23, and Mohammad Farid Shaaban, 16.
The raid has brought the total for Palestinians killed by Israel in 2023 up to 61. The raid is likely to see violent response, as has been the norm. Israel and Palestinian groups have been trading attacks often, with Jenin and Nablus being the epicentres of violence.
“The resistance in Gaza is observing the enemy’s escalating crimes against our people in the occupied West Bank, and its patience is running out.” – Hamas Spokesman, Abu Obeida
Nablus, West Bank
Palestinians saying bad-bye to the Israeli occupation forces. pic.twitter.com/lOBGdMRVcP
— Younis | ???? (@ytirawi) February 22, 2023
There is no word so far on any Israeli casualties.
