At least 14 killed as violence flares in West Bank

ZAIN JAAFAR/ AFP

Israeli forces killed 14 Palestinians during a raid in the occupied West Bank on Saturday, while an ambulance driver was killed as he went to pick up wounded from a separate attack, Palestinian authorities said.

The Tulkarm Brigade, which includes fighters from several groups, said it was exchanging fire with Israeli forces. At least three drones were seen flying over Nur Shams, where Israeli military vehicles were gathered, and gunfire was heard.

Reporters at the site reported that they heard explosions and gunfire, and saw the bombing of at least three homes and drones flying over the camp. In footage from Agence France-Presse TV, military vehicles and soldiers are seen roaming the alleys of the camp, where about seven thousand people live.

The army said in a statement that the security forces were able to eliminate ten fighters during the clashes, about 48 hours after the start of the incursion, during which eight soldiers and an officer from the border guard forces were wounded.

Residents reported that electricity was cut off, food was running out, and no one could enter or leave the camp. They added that the water “arrives with sewage due to the damaged lines,” noting “a shortage of baby milk and bread.”

The head of the Colonial and Wall Resistance Committee, Moayad Shaaban, said, “The siege of Nour Shams camp has been continuing for more than 42 hours.” He added, "This incursion is unprecedented... and there are snipers on the roofs and special forces deployed" in the camp.

Separately, the driver of a Palestinian Red Crescent ambulance was killed during clashes between settlers and residents of the village of Al-Sawiya, north of Ramallah, according to Red Crescent and the Palestinian Ministry of Health reports.

Settlers attacked village homes with stones and live bullets, and two Palestinian youths were injured during the confrontation.

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