Palestinians gather at the scene of a shootout between Israeli forces and gunmen during a raid at the Aqabat Jabr refugee camp near Jericho in the Israeli-occupied West Bank. Reuters
Palestinians gather at the scene of a shootout between Israeli forces and gunmen during a raid at the Aqabat Jabr refugee camp near Jericho in the Israeli-occupied West Bank. Reuters
Palestinians gather at the scene of a shootout between Israeli forces and gunmen during a raid at the Aqabat Jabr refugee camp near Jericho in the Israeli-occupied West Bank. Reuters
Palestinians gather at the scene of a shootout between Israeli forces and gunmen during a raid at the Aqabat Jabr refugee camp near Jericho in the Israeli-occupied West Bank. Reuters

Israeli military says militants killed in raid on Jericho camp


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Israeli forces on Monday said they killed armed fighters during a raid on the Aqabat Jabr Palestinian refugee camp near the city of Jericho.

The overnight raid was aimed at capturing suspected Hamas militants following an attempted attack on the nearby Israeli settlement of Vered Yeriho last month, the military said.

“Tonight, there was a joint activity of the IDF and Shin Bet in the Aqabat Jaber refugee camp near Jericho. In the process, a number of armed terrorists were killed who opened fire against IDF forces, who carried out searches and arrests,” the military said, on the Twitter account of the Israeli Defence Forces.

The post, which was accompanied by a photo of weapons seized, did not say how many militants were killed, but Israeli security officials told Associated Press there were five deaths, including two people wanted in connection with the attempted attack.

Jihad Abu Al Assal, the governor of Jericho and the Jordan Valley, said the Israeli military was holding on to the gunmen’s bodies. Without access to the bodies, the Palestinian Health Ministry did not immediately confirm the deaths, saying only that three were injured, one of them critically.

Hamas said all five of those killed were members of its armed wing. It said the violence would be met with a response.

“Our people and their resistance will not delay in responding to this crime,” spokesman Hazem Qassem said.

The violence happened in one of the deadliest periods in recent years in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and in the first weeks of Israel’s new government, its most right-wing yet. The administration has promised to take a tough stance against Palestinians.

The military said an attempted attack on a restaurant in Vered Yeriho on January 28 failed when a weapon malfunctioned. It said the two would-be attackers, who fled the scene, were members of the Hamas group that rules the Gaza Strip and has a presence in the West Bank.

Israeli forces raided the Aqabat Jabr camp on Saturday and made several arrests after partially demolishing a home to force those inside to surrender. Six Palestinians were reported wounded in an exchange of gunfire during the raid.

In Monday’s operation, a gun battle broke out when troops encountered militants hiding in a home in the Aqabat Jabr camp, the military said. Several of the gunmen who were killed were involved in the attempted attack on the restaurant, it said.

The Israeli military has blocked access to roads into Jericho since January 28, placing the Palestinian city under a semi-blockade.

Israel's military has carried out months of raids in the occupied West Bank after a spate of deadly attacks inside Israel last year. Forces have been put on high alert after a Palestinian gunman killed seven people near a synagogue in East Jerusalem on January 27.

With reporting from agencies

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Drishyam 2

Directed by: Jeethu Joseph

Starring: Mohanlal, Meena, Ansiba, Murali Gopy

Rating: 4 stars

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Key figures in the life of the fort

Sheikh Dhiyab bin Isa (ruled 1761-1793) Built Qasr Al Hosn as a watchtower to guard over the only freshwater well on Abu Dhabi island.

Sheikh Shakhbut bin Dhiyab (ruled 1793-1816) Expanded the tower into a small fort and transferred his ruling place of residence from Liwa Oasis to the fort on the island.

Sheikh Tahnoon bin Shakhbut (ruled 1818-1833) Expanded Qasr Al Hosn further as Abu Dhabi grew from a small village of palm huts to a town of more than 5,000 inhabitants.

Sheikh Khalifa bin Shakhbut (ruled 1833-1845) Repaired and fortified the fort.

Sheikh Saeed bin Tahnoon (ruled 1845-1855) Turned Qasr Al Hosn into a strong two-storied structure.

Sheikh Zayed bin Khalifa (ruled 1855-1909) Expanded Qasr Al Hosn further to reflect the emirate's increasing prominence.

Sheikh Shakhbut bin Sultan (ruled 1928-1966) Renovated and enlarged Qasr Al Hosn, adding a decorative arch and two new villas.

Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan (ruled 1966-2004) Moved the royal residence to Al Manhal palace and kept his diwan at Qasr Al Hosn.

Sources: Jayanti Maitra, www.adach.ae

The bio

Favourite vegetable: Broccoli

Favourite food: Seafood

Favourite thing to cook: Duck l'orange

Favourite book: Give and Take by Adam Grant, one of his professors at University of Pennsylvania

Favourite place to travel: Home in Kuwait.

Favourite place in the UAE: Al Qudra lakes

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If you go...

Etihad Airways flies from Abu Dhabi to Kuala Lumpur, from about Dh3,600. Air Asia currently flies from Kuala Lumpur to Terengganu, with Berjaya Hotels & Resorts planning to launch direct chartered flights to Redang Island in the near future. Rooms at The Taaras Beach and Spa Resort start from 680RM (Dh597).

Anghami
Started: December 2011
Co-founders: Elie Habib, Eddy Maroun
Based: Beirut and Dubai
Sector: Entertainment
Size: 85 employees
Stage: Series C
Investors: MEVP, du, Mobily, MBC, Samena Capital

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Directors: Carol Mansour and Muna Khalidi

Stars: Dr Ghassan Abu-Sittah

Rating: 4/5

Updated: February 06, 2023, 1:13 PM