In a tragic escalation of violence, at least five Palestinians, including a 16-year-old teenager, were killed during an Israeli military raid in the occupied West Bank city of Tulkarem. The raid, carried out late Thursday night, lasted for hours and continued into Friday, leading to armed clashes between the military and Palestinian resistance fighters.

According to Palestinian health officials, the teenager, identified as Qais Fathi Nasrallah, was shot with live fire by Israeli forces and succumbed to his injuries before reaching the hospital in Tulkarem. Among the casualties was also Mohammed Jaber, the leader of the Tulkarem resistance brigade. Jaber, who had previously been targeted, was reportedly the main objective of the raid.

The aftermath of the operation saw widespread destruction, with dozens of homes being destroyed and demolished by Israeli soldiers. Local sources described the level of infrastructure damage as the worst seen in the West Bank since the destruction of the Jenin refugee camp during the second Intifada in the early 2000s.

This latest incident adds to the surging violence that has plagued the West Bank, particularly since Israel's war on Gaza erupted in October. Official Palestinian sources report that at least 468 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces or settlers across the West Bank since October 7. Furthermore, in Gaza, the war has resulted in the deaths of 34,000 Palestinians and left over 76,800 others wounded.

In response to the ongoing violence and rights abuses against Palestinians, both the United States and the European Union have imposed additional sanctions targeting Israeli settlers engaged in such actions. The EU has sanctioned four "extremist" Israeli settlers and two entities involved in serious human rights abuses against Palestinians. Radical organizations Lehava and the Hilltop Youth have been placed on the EU's asset freeze and visa ban blacklist for their attacks on Palestinians. Additionally, Hilltop Youth leaders Meir Ettinger and Elisha Yered, along with settlers Neria Ben Pazi and Yinon Levi, have been included in the sanctions.

Separately, the US has added Ben-Zion Gopstein, the founder and leader of Lehava, to its blacklist. Furthermore, two groups involved in raising funds for settlers Yinon Levi and David Chai Chasdai, who had previously been targeted by US sanctions, have also faced sanctions. These measures are aimed at holding accountable those responsible for undermining peace, security, and stability in the West Bank.

The situation in the occupied West Bank remains volatile, with the recent Israeli military raid in Tulkarem resulting in the loss of Palestinian lives and significant destruction. International condemnation, along with sanctions imposed by the US and EU, indicates growing concern about the ongoing violence and human rights abuses against Palestinians. Efforts to restore peace and stability in the region continue to be a pressing concern.