WEST BANK, (PIC)
The Hamas Movement said on Wednesday that the continuation of resistance operations in the West Bank, including a stabbing attack in the town of Silwad east of Ramallah, demonstrates that Israeli deterrence efforts have failed despite escalating violence.
In a statement, the group mourned Abdel Halim Rouhi Hammad, 37, praising the attack he carried out and saying it sends a message that attempts by Israeli occupation forces (IOF) to break resistance in the West Bank will not succeed.
According to the statement, ongoing Israeli policies, including settlement expansion, annexation efforts, and displacement measures, are likely to fuel further public anger and escalation.
Hamas reaffirmed that Palestinians remain committed to what it described as the path of resistance and steadfastness.
The Movement called for intensified operations across the West Bank, arguing that such actions could disrupt Israeli security calculations and respond to what it described as continued violations in Palestinian towns, villages, and refugee camps.
Separately, Palestinian authorities said a Palestinian man was martyred and another wounded by IOF gunfire during a raid in Silwad early Wednesday.
The Palestinian Health Ministry, citing the Civil Affairs Authority, identified the martyr as Abdel Halim Rouhi Abdel Halim Hammad, adding that his body was withheld by Israeli authorities.
Local sources said IOF shot Hammad inside his home in front of family members after storming the house. He was reportedly detained while wounded before his martyrdom was later announced. His father was also arrested during the raid and released hours later.
Hammad is a father to a one-and-a-half-year-old daughter. He is also the brother of Mohammad Hammad, who was martyred in 2021, with his body still being withheld by Israeli authorities.
The Israeli military said it opened fire on two Palestinians, killing one and wounding the other before arresting him. It alleged the two had attempted to stab soldiers, resulting in injuries to two troops.
The IOF had earlier stormed the town before dawn, carrying out raids and searches of Palestinian homes, which later escalated into clashes during the morning hours.
In the same context, Israeli forces closed the military gate of Silwad and several surrounding checkpoints, including Atara and Ein Siniya checkpoints north of Ramallah and al-Bireh, further tightening movement restrictions in the area.
