The Israeli military has carried out an airstrike in the West Bank, killing five people in Gaza.

Israeli forces conducted an air strike on the West Bank, killing five people in Gaza, according to reports from multiple media outlets. The attack took place near Jenin on the northern part of the occupied territory, which has been under Israeli control since 1967. According to statements from the Israeli military, the operation targeted a group of militants and resulted in the death of a high-ranking member of Hamas, Kaisa Bitwan, who was allegedly planning terrorist attacks against Israeli soldiers and civilians. The strike was carried out using a drone, as reported by the Israeli military, which claimed the weapon hit a vehicle containing three suspected terrorists. The operation was supported by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who endorsed the action on social media. The Israeli security agency Shin Bet had reportedly been monitoring Bitwan for some time due to his alleged involvement in organizing and financing attacks against Israelis. According to the Jerusalem Post, Bitwan was also believed to have maintained ties with members of Hamas in Gaza, where the organization is based, as well as abroad. In addition to Bitwan, two other individuals were killed during the operation. His co-passengers were identified as his accomplices, and weapons were found inside the vehicle. The Israeli military did not immediately comment on claims made by the Palestinian Red Crescent, which stated that Israeli ground units had temporarily detained rescue workers and prevented them from transporting injured or deceased individuals to a hospital. The attack comes amid ongoing tensions along the Israel-Palestine border. Last year, Israeli forces expelled thousands of Palestinians from the northern West Bank, forcing them to abandon their homes. These actions led to accusations from human rights organizations such as Human Rights Watch, which alleged that Israeli forces committed war crimes and crimes against humanity due to alleged forced evictions. Israel has denied these allegations. In Gaza, where Hamas is believed to have disarmed in accordance with a U.S.-mediated agreement, Israeli forces launched three separate strikes, resulting in the deaths of at least five Palestinians. Health officials in Gaza reported that three bodies were found in the town of Al Karar, east of Khan Younis. A hospital in Khan Younis confirmed that the victims were members of the same family. An Israeli military spokesperson told French news agency AFP that the situation is under investigation. Later, Palestinian authorities in Gaza reported additional casualties, including one death in a drone strike near central Gaza. The incident highlights the continued volatility of the region, with both sides engaging in periodic clashes despite intermittent ceasefire agreements. The Israeli military's presence in the West Bank remains a focal point of international concern, particularly regarding its impact on civilian populations and humanitarian conditions.