Mona Kandil
Press TV, Ramallah
A natural and legitimate response to Israeli crimes in the occupied territories, this is how Palestinian resistance groups praised the deadly shooting spree that left five Israelis dead in the Haredi, ultra-Orthodox, city of Bnei Brak, one of Tel Aviv’s suburbs on Tuesday night.
The operation was carried out by 27-year-old Diaa Hamarshah from Yaabad town near Jenin in the northern occupied West Bank. Hamarshah was shot dead during the clashes.
Both resistance groups Hamas and al-Jihad in addition to other Palestinians faction had welcomed the incident.
Israel military decided to bolster its troops in the occupied West Bank and border areas with four additional battalions.
In addition, two battalions will be sent to reinforce troops in the Gaza Strip envelope area.
Israeli forces raided Yaabad town and stormed Hamarshe’s home. A large crowd gathered and clashes erupted between Palestinians and Israeli soldiers. Hamarshe’s family members were questioned and at least 25 Palestinians were detained in Yaabad and other areas.
Tuesday’s operation marks the third deadly operation in lands occupied in 1948 in Israel in a week, bringing the combined death toll to 11 Israelis, excluding Palestinian perpetrators.
Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett vowed that Israel will fight what he described as terrorism with an iron fist.
Israeli military officials warn that Tel Aviv’s shooting and the recent operations in Umm al-Fahm and Beer al-Sabea could lead to copycat attacks. Palestinians, however, reiterate that such incidents are a normal response to Israel’s crimes and violence in the occupied territories.