JENIN, West Bank /PNN - 

An Israeli airstrike killed three Palestinians on Friday in the northern West Bank city of Jenin, including a man the Israeli military said was a Hamas operative, according to Israeli and local sources.

The Israeli military said in a statement that it had killed Qais al-Baytawi, whom it described as “responsible for local Hamas activity in Jenin refugee camp,” which it said had been dismantled during a previous operation referred to as “Iron Wall.” The military alleged he had been involved in advancing multiple attacks, adding that “additional operatives” were killed alongside him and that weapons were found in their vehicle.

Local sources in Jenin identified the three Palestinians killed as al-Baytawi, Ahmad Yaqub Krozou and Basel Turkman. Israel confirmed al-Baytawi’s killing but did not officially confirm the identities of the other two.

The Israeli military said it carried out a “precise strike” targeting a group of Palestinians, while Israeli media reported that the attack struck a vehicle carrying three individuals, described as a “militant cell commander.”

Netanyahu praises strike

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu praised the airstrike, describing it as a “successful proactive operation and thwarting attack.”

He said the military operation had prevented an imminent attack and eliminated those responsible in Jenin.

Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz also hailed the killing of the three Palestinians, calling it “a result of our offensive policy in the West Bank,” and said Israeli forces would remain in the camp on a permanent basis, as in other refugee camps across the territory.

Hamas, for its part, mourned those killed in the strike and held Israel fully responsible for the consequences of the attack and what it described as escalating crimes.

The Palestinian Red Crescent said its teams headed to the site following the strike but were detained by Israeli forces after arriving.

It later said its crews were released but ordered to leave the area without evacuating any wounded or dead, adding that Israeli forces confiscated medical equipment from the teams attempting to reach the site.

The strike marked the first reported Israeli air attack in the West Bank in months, amid rising tensions driven by increased settler violence, which Palestinians say is carried out under the protection of Israeli forces, resulting in casualties in recent months.

Concerns have also been growing within Israeli military circles over a potential security escalation in the West Bank, as settler attacks increase and the army faces mounting challenges in managing multiple flashpoints simultaneously.