US voices support for Israeli after deadly raid in occupied West Bank's Jenin

By Servet Gunerigok

WASHINGTON (AA) - The US threw its support Tuesday behind in a deadly Israeli military raid in the Jenin in the occupied West Bank.

"Israel has the legitimate right to defend its people and its territory against all forms of aggression, including, of course, those from terrorist groups," State Department spokesman Ned Price told reporters. "And we have seen far too many vivid illustrations of the terrorist threat that Israel faces".

"We remain deeply concerned by the sharp rise in violence in the West Bank, and we continue to urge the parties to take immediate steps to prevent the further loss of life," he added.

A 26-year-old Palestinian man was shot and critically injured in the chest and later pronounced dead. Five others were also injured, according to a statement by the Palestinian Health Ministry.

According to Palestine TV station, Israeli forces backed by a bulldozer raided the Jenin refugee camp and surrounded a house inside.

An Israeli military statement said army forces were operating in the Jenin area, without providing further details.

Tension has been running high across the occupied West Bank in recent weeks amid repeated Israeli raids into Palestinian towns.

Nearly 70 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli fire since the start of 2023, according to Palestinian figures. Fourteen Israelis have also been killed in separate attacks during the same period.