Two Palestinian women, including one who was eight months pregnant, were killed by Israeli forces in the occupied West Bank on Sunday as Israel expanded its military operations in the region, the Palestinian Health Ministry said.
The ministry identified one of the victims as 23-year-old Sundos Jamal Mohammed Shalabi, who was shot in Nur Shams, a refugee camp near Tulkarm. Her unborn child did not survive. Her husband was critically wounded.
A second woman, 21, was killed in a separate incident, the ministry said.
The Israeli military confirmed an ongoing investigation into Shalabi’s death. In a statement, the military said forces were conducting a counter-terrorism raid and had ordered all occupants of a house to exit. According to the military, the second woman did not leave the building and was fatally wounded when soldiers used force to breach the door.
“We regret any harm to civilians and take measures to prevent it,” the military said.
The Israeli military announced Sunday it was expanding its counter-terrorism operations in the northern West Bank, moving into Nur Shams following previous raids in Jenin, Tulkarm, Al Faraa, and Tamun. The military said the campaign is targeting armed groups accused of planning attacks against Israeli forces and civilians.
The escalation comes after a ceasefire in Gaza between Israel and Hamas. Israeli officials have described the West Bank as part of a broader conflict with Iranian-backed militant groups.
The expanded military operations have led to widespread displacement, with thousands of Palestinians fleeing their homes. The Palestinian Authority’s Health Ministry reports that dozens of Palestinians have been killed in recent Israeli raids.
Israeli officials say their operations target militants but accuse armed groups of operating within civilian areas.
The situation remains tense as military activity continues across the region.
