Nine people were killed in an Israeli military operation in Jenin in the West Bank, according to Palestinian sources.

Several others were injured, the Ministry of Health in Ramallah announced on Thursday. According to the statement, one woman was among the dead.

According to the Palestinian Red Crescent rescue service, the situation on the ground remained unclear in the morning. It was difficult to get to the injured.

The Israeli military said that forces had come under fire while attempting to arrest several members of the militant Palestinian organization Islamic Jihad.

Two of the suspects were shot dead while trying to escape, and another turned himself in. They were suspected of planning a terrorist attack, the military said.

A general strike was called in the West Bank on Thursday.

Israeli media cited political sources in Jerusalem as saying that the country had to be prepared for a possible escalation with the Palestinians after the operation.

The situation in the West Bank has long been very tense. Since a series of attacks last year, Israel’s army has been conducting more raids there, which have repeatedly led to deadly confrontations.

Jenin is considered a stronghold of Palestinian militants.

This year, 21 Palestinians have already been killed in connection with military operations or their own attacks, including five youths. Last year, 172 Palestinians were killed, the highest number since 2006.

Israel conquered the West Bank and East Jerusalem in 1967. Today, more than 600,000 Israeli settlers live there. The Palestinians claim the territories for an independent state of Palestine with Arab East Jerusalem as its capital. Nine people were killed in an Israeli military operation in Jenin in the West Bank, according to Palestinian sources.

Several others were injured, the Ministry of Health in Ramallah announced on Thursday. According to the statement, one woman was among the dead.

According to the Palestinian Red Crescent rescue service, the situation on the ground remained unclear in the morning. It was difficult to get to the injured.

The Israeli military said that forces had come under fire while attempting to arrest several members of the militant Palestinian organization Islamic Jihad.

Two of the suspects were shot dead while trying to escape, and another turned himself in. They were suspected of planning a terrorist attack, the military said.

A general strike was called in the West Bank on Thursday.

Israeli media cited political sources in Jerusalem as saying that the country had to be prepared for a possible escalation with the Palestinians after the operation.

The situation in the West Bank has long been very tense. Since a series of attacks last year, Israel’s army has been conducting more raids there, which have repeatedly led to deadly confrontations.

Jenin is considered a stronghold of Palestinian militants.

This year, 21 Palestinians have already been killed in connection with military operations or their own attacks, including five youths. Last year, 172 Palestinians were killed, the highest number since 2006.

Israel conquered the West Bank and East Jerusalem in 1967. Today, more than 600,000 Israeli settlers live there. The Palestinians claim the territories for an independent state of Palestine with Arab East Jerusalem as its capital.