Israeli killings of Palestinians escalate in response to the assassination of Israeli Tourism Minister Rechavam Ze’evi last week. Kill nine in West Bank raid: “An Israeli raid on a West Bank village, launched to nab the assassins of a Cabinet minister, yesterday turned into a bloody gun battle in which nine Palestinians were reported killed.” NY Post Five Palestinians killed in latest Mid East violence: “Israeli soldiers have shot dead five Palestinians during worsening unrest in the West Bank.

The Israeli army has sealed off the village of Awarta.

Troops with loud speakers have warned residents that they will be shot if they leave their homes.

The raid comes after Palestinian gunmen opened fire at a car carrying Israeli civilians at a nearby Jewish settlement.

No-one was injured in the ambush, but security forces are on alert.

” ABC

‘During the past week, more than 40 Palestinians have been killed.

On Thursday, four Palestinians were killed in Bethlehem and another in Tulkarem, Palestinian security sources said. Three other Palestinians — including a 2-year-old child — were wounded by sniper bullets in Azza refugee camp, the medical services said.

The Israeli Army said it was provoked by a group of Palestinians who had fired at them.’ CNN Doubts emerge, within the Israeli domestic opposition as well as external critics, about whether these incidents are provoked as Israel claims.