Israeli siege intensifies in West Bank after reported shooting; Gaza death toll tops 71,000

RAMALLAH/GAZA -- Israeli forces tightened restrictions on Palestinian villages in the West Bank on Saturday following a reported shooting, while Gaza health authorities updated the death toll in the enclave from the ongoing conflict to over 71,000.

In the central West Bank, Israeli forces closed the entrances to several villages near Ramallah, including Ni'lin, Bil'in and Kharbatha Bani Harith, after gunfire was reported near a military checkpoint, Palestinian security sources said, adding that the closures disrupted movement for residents of 13 villages.

The Israeli army initially said a Palestinian opened fire near the Hashmonaim checkpoint and fled, but later said the incident was related to "hunting activity." Israeli forces continue operations to locate the individual and confiscate the weapon, it said.

In the northern West Bank, Israeli troops maintained a tight siege on the town of Qabatiya for a second day. Qabatiya's Mayor Ahmed Zakarneh said Israeli forces have closed entrances, imposed a curfew, damaged infrastructure and raided homes.

The Israeli operation followed a stabbing-ramming attack in northern Israel on Friday that killed two people and injured a third.

According to local police and the Israeli military, the incident was a "rolling terror attack" that began in Beit Shean, a northern Israeli city near the West Bank's northern border, and ended in Maonot Junction near the northern city of Afula, where the attacker, a Palestinian "who had infiltrated into Israeli territory" several days ago, was "neutralized."

Hebrew media reports said the attacker came from Qabatiya.

According to Palestinian statistics, more than 1,080 Palestinians have been killed in the West Bank and East Jerusalem since Oct 7, 2023.

Meanwhile, Gaza health authorities said Saturday that the Palestinian death toll from the Hamas-Israel conflict has reached 71,266, with 171,219 wounded since October 2023. They added that 414 Palestinians have been killed and 1,142 wounded since the latest ceasefire began on Oct 10.

Palestinian sources also reported Israeli air, artillery and naval bombardments across Gaza in recent hours, though no new casualties were immediately reported. The Israeli military has not commented on these attacks.