Hamas, Islamic Jihad vow to intensify resistance after Israeli killing of 3 Palestinians
The Gaza-based Hamas and Islamic Jihad resistance movements have denounced ُSunday's killing of three Palestinian men by Israeli forces near the occupied West Bank city of Nablus, saying the incident will intensify resistance against the occupying regime.
On Sunday, Israeli troops fatally shot three Palestinian men near the Sarra military checkpoint, southwest of Nablus.
In a brief statement, Hamas said “The blood of the martyrs will not be wasted,” stressing that the occupying regime’s crimes against Palestinians and desecration of the holy sites in the occupied territories will be met with more steadfastness and resistance.
The movement said Palestinians would continue to deal painful blows to the occupying regime until the full liberation of Palestinian lands.
In a separate statement, the Islamic Jihad said “the blood of these martyrs will intensify the armed struggle against the occupying Israeli regime,” adding that Palestinians are determined to continue their path with great sacrifices.
The movement said the resistance is ready to respond to Israeli crimes in the occupied territories, emphasizing that “We renew our covenant with those who have lost their lives and will be loyal to their jihadist approach.”
At dawn on Sunday, Israeli soldiers opened fire at four Palestinians in their vehicle near the checkpoint, killing three of them in a “targeted assassination.”
Shortly after the shooting, Israeli occupation soldiers stormed shops and seized the recordings of surveillance cameras to keep their crime untold, Palestine’s official Wafa news agency cited witnesses as saying.
The latest Israeli crime brings up the number of Palestinians killed by Israeli occupation forces since the beginning of the year to 84, including 15 children and an elderly woman, according to the Palestinian Health Ministry.
Over the past months, Israel has ramped up attacks on Palestinian towns and cities throughout the occupied territories. As a result of these attacks, dozens of Palestinians have lost their lives and many others have been arrested.
Most of the raids have focused on Nablus and Jenin, where Israeli forces have been trying to stifle a growing Palestinian resistance in the occupied cities.
Local and international rights groups have condemned Israel’s excessive use of force and “shoot-to-kill policy” against Palestinians.