An Israeli air strike has killed three Palestinians in the city of Jenin in the occupied West Bank, amid rising tensions and continuing Israeli military operations in the territory.
The Israeli military said the strike on Friday, August 28, targeted a vehicle carrying three people. The army identified one of those killed as Qais Bitawi, whom it described as a Hamas operative, along with two alleged accomplices.
However, Hamas condemned the attack but said it had not identified Bitawi as a member of the group. Palestinian Islamic Jihad said Bitawi was a senior member of its armed wing.
The Palestine Red Crescent said Israeli ground forces raided the site after the air strike and briefly detained medical workers, preventing them from transporting the dead and wounded to hospital.
Palestinian news agency Wafa reported that the strike hit a house under construction in western Jenin and that the three Palestinians were killed instantly.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu praised the operation, describing it as a successful effort to prevent the targeted individuals from carrying out an attack. Defence Minister Israel Katz also congratulated the military, police and Shin Bet over the operation.
Hamas called for international action to stop what it described as Israeli crimes and to hold Israel accountable.
The West Bank has experienced increasing violence involving Israeli forces and settlers. Friday's attack was reportedly the first Israeli air strike in the territory since February 2025.
The strike came as Israeli attacks in Gaza continued and amid warnings that the Gaza ceasefire could collapse if both sides fail to follow the agreed peace roadmap.
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