![[FILE] A Palestinian child stands amidst the rubble of a damaged building, following an Israeli strike, at the Tulkarem refugee camp, near the West Bank city of Tulkarem, 04 October 2024. EFE-EPA/ALAA BADARNEH](https://i0.wp.com/efe.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/rss-efef064b3b5e3dd8dcd5604cf826e14fcf51fcf4e66w.jpg?fit=1920%2C1280&ssl=1)
Jerusalem, Dec 25 (EFE).- Nine Palestinians, including a 17-year-old, were killed during Israeli military operations in the northern West Bank, with drone strikes targeting Tulkarem and Tubas.
Palestinian health officials and local sources said the raids began early Tuesday, targeting the city of Tulkarem, its refugee camps, and Tubas.
In a statement, the ministry said four Palestinians died and five others, including one critically injured, were taken to the Tulkarem Government Hospital after a second drone strike hit the al-Hammam neighborhood of the refugee zone.
Earlier, three women were killed in an initial drone attack at dawn. Two of them have been identified as Yawla Ali Abdullah, 53, and Baraa Jaled Hussein Sheikh Ali, 30.
The Palestinian news agency Wafa reported that several others were injured in this airstrike, including a 10-year-old boy.
The first death in the operation was 18-year-old Fathi Said Salem Obaid, a suspected militant.
Israeli military sources claimed six militants were killed in gunfire exchanges or drone strikes.
In Tubas, the Palestinian Red Crescent reported that two people sustained critical injuries in the town of Tamoun during a drone attack. One of them, 17-year-old secondary school student Rayan Hussam Bani Odeh, later succumbed to his injuries.
Elsewhere, another person was injured by shrapnel in Tulkarem and transported to the hospital. A second person was injured in the Amari camp near Ramallah during simultaneous incursions by Israeli forces, the Red Crescent said.
The West Bank is currently witnessing its worst violence since the Second Intifada (2000-05).
At least 490 Palestinians have been killed in Israeli operations in 2024, according to an EFE tally.
Most of the fatalities are militants from refugee camps, but civilians, including at least 75 minors, are among the dead.
The Tulkarem governorate has emerged as a focal point for armed resistance against Israeli occupation, with 136 Palestinians killed this year.
Jenin follows with 133 fatalities, while Nablus has seen over 50 deaths. EFE pms-sk
