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Israeli military vehicles clash in Jenin on Thursday
Photo: RANEEN SAWAFTA / REUTERS
The conflict between the Israeli military and militant Palestinians in the West Bank appears to be escalating.
An army operation in the city of Jenin killed at least eight people and injured more than a dozen others, according to consistent reports.
An elderly woman is believed to be among the dead.
According to the Palestinian rescue service Red Crescent, the situation on the ground was unclear in the morning.
It is difficult to get to the injured.
A spokesman for the Israeli military only confirmed that there was an operation in the Palestinian city in the morning.
The situation in the West Bank has been very tense for a long time.
Since a series of attacks last year, Israel's army has been carrying out increased raids there, according to its own statements, in order to smash militant networks and prevent future attacks.
Deadly confrontations occur again and again during the missions.
Violence is escalating
Jenin is considered a stronghold of militant Palestinians.
This year, 24 Palestinians have already been killed in connection with military operations or their own attacks, including five young people.
In total, more than 150 Palestinians were killed last year, more than in around 20 years.
Israel conquered the West Bank and East Jerusalem in 1967.
More than 600,000 Israeli settlers live there today.
The Palestinians claim the territories for an independent state of Palestine with the Arab-influenced eastern part of Jerusalem as the capital.
The ongoing incidents have further clouded the prospect of a resumption of stalled talks on a peace settlement and a Palestinian state.
fek/dpa/Reuters
