Latest | 2 Palestinians killed in West Bank

The Israeli military said on Tuesday it had killed two Palestinians who it said were attempting to launch a gun attack on Israeli communities from the occupied West Bank. Residents of Israeli communities just outside the West Bank have reported an increase in gun attacks from the occupied Palestinian territories in recent days. The West Bank has been gripped by a wave of violence since the war between Israel and Hamas in Gaza began in October.

A ceasefire proposal announced by US President Joe Biden has prompted Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at a crossroads. The proposal offers the opportunity to end Israel’s war against Hamas, release dozens of the militant group’s hostages, calm the northern border with Lebanon and potentially advance a historic agreement to normalize relations with Saudi Arabia.

Israeli bombings and ground operations in Gaza have killed more than 36,000 Palestinians, according to the Health Ministry, which does not distinguish between fighters and civilians. Israel’s escalating offensive in the southern Gaza town of Rafah has largely cut off access to food, medicine and other supplies to Palestinians suffering from widespread hunger.

Israel began the war in Gaza after the October 7 Hamas attack in which militants entered southern Israel, killing about 1,200 people – mostly civilians – and abducting about 250. The Israeli military confirmed on Monday the deaths of four more hostages held by Hamas. About 80 of the hostages captured on October 7 are believed to still be alive in Gaza, along with the remains of 43 others.

At the moment:

– The United States calls on the UN Security Council to support a ceasefire plan for Gaza announced by President Biden.

– The proposed ceasefire in Gaza puts Netanyahu at a crossroads that could shape his legacy.

— Iran’s current top diplomat rejects US-proposed ceasefire agreement for Gaza during a visit to Lebanon.

– Palestinian officials request to join South Africa’s lawsuit accusing Israel of genocide before the UN’s top court.

— Israeli airstrikes near Aleppo in Syria reportedly kill several people, including an Iranian adviser.

– Israel says four more hostages are dead in Gaza.

Follow AP’s coverage of the war in Gaza at https://apnews.com/hub/israel-hamas-war.

Here is the latest information:

ISRAELI MILITARY: Bushfires caused by fighting with Hezbollah have injured six soldiers

TEL AVIV, Israel – The Israeli military said Tuesday that six soldiers were lightly injured in a bush fire in the north of the country sparked by fighting with the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah.

The fire, which has been raging since Sunday, was largely under control on Tuesday, according to Israeli army radio. The Israeli military said it had sent reserve soldiers and equipment to assist Israel’s fire and rescue services in fighting the fire.

Sporadic fires sparked by fighting have occurred in recent weeks, but this week’s fire was more widespread and apparently caused more damage. Israel’s Nature and Parks Authority said that around 10,000 dunams (2,500 acres) had been burned as a result of the bushfires across northern Israel this week.

The Nature and Parks Authority said that significant damage had been caused in several nature reserves and parks and that it would continue to be repaired for years. In total, almost 40,000 dunams (9,900 acres) had burned in several bush fires since the end of May, many of which were caused by rocket and other projectile fire from Hezbollah, the authority said.

Sharon Levy, director of the Golan region at the Nature and Parks Authority, said the dry summer season had exacerbated the fires.

One day after the outbreak of the Gaza war, Hezbollah began firing rockets at Israel. On October 7, Hamas attacked southern Israel. Since then, Israel and Hezbollah have been engaged in daily violent clashes that have brought the region to the brink of a larger war.

2 PALESTINIANS ARE KILLED IN THE OCCUPIED WEST BANK

TEL AVIV, Israel – The Israeli military said Tuesday it had killed two Palestinians it said were attempting to launch an armed attack on Israeli communities from the occupied West Bank.

The military said the two approached the separation barrier in the West Bank and were killed by Israeli forces. The military provided a photo of a rifle the men intended to use to carry out the alleged attack.

The Palestinian Health Ministry confirmed the deaths and said they occurred near the city of Tulkarem.

Residents of Israeli communities just outside the West Bank have reported an increase in shootings from the occupied Palestinian territory in recent days.

Since the start of the Gaza war between Israel and Hamas in October, the West Bank has been gripped by a wave of violence. Israel is cracking down on the insurgents in the West Bank and has killed more than 500 people there since the war began, according to the Palestinian Health Ministry. Many of them were killed in clashes with the military or while throwing stones at troops. Others who were not involved in the fighting were also killed.