5 Palestinians Killed In Israeli Raids In West Bank

Five Palestinians were killed in Israeli raids in the occupied West Bank on Sunday, according to Israeli media.

The Yedioth Ahronoth newspaper said the five lost their lives in an exchange of fire during an Israeli raid to arrest a number of Hamas members in the cities of Jenin and Ramallah.

According to the newspaper, three Palestinians were killed in the Bidu village, northwest Jerusalem, in an exchange of fire that erupted when Israeli forces surrounded a house in the village.

Two other Palestinians were killed in the village of Burqin, in southwestern Jenin city.

An Israeli military spokesman said the situation may escalate if Hamas fires rocket from the Gaza Strip.

The Palestinian Health Ministry, for its part, confirmed that four Palestinians were killed in the Israeli raids.

Jenin Governor Akram al-Rujoub, meanwhile, said nine Palestinians were injured by Israeli gunfire during the arrest campaign.

*Writing by Ahmed Asmar in Ankara -