During an IDF operation in the Ash-Shuhada area of the West Bank, near Jenin, troops fired at terrorists who barricaded themselves inside a building, resulting in subsequent claims that unarmed civilians were wounded, the IDF said on Saturday evening.
Shortly after the statement was made, the Palestinian Red Crescent reported that a two-year-old toddler was killed by IDF fire.
The toddler was named Layla Mohammad Al-Khatib, and she reportedly succumbed to her wounds after sustaining a critical head injury from a gunshot, according to the Palestinian News & Information Agency, WAFA.
While the IDF statement noted there were claims that "unarmed civilians were wounded as a result of the shooting," it did not mention that Al-Khatib was killed.
The IDF also added in its statement that the incident had been placed under investigation.
Operation Iron Wall
This comes after the IDF began a wide-ranging operation on Palestinian terror in Jenin on Tuesday, killing several terrorists in a mission meant to last at least several days, if not longer.
The campaign, dubbed “Operation Iron Wall,” includes drones and helicopter air support. There were also reportedly tanks in the vicinity – although not entering Jenin – and the Shin Bet (Israel Security Agency), Duvdevan, Egoz, other special forces, and engineering forces from Battalion 90 were all involved.
Similar campaigns this year have lasted a week or more, with the IDF saying the dual goals were to thwart “ticking bomb” (imminent) terror operations and to preserve IDF mobility in all areas of the West Bank.
Yonah Jeremy Bob contributed to this report.
This is a developing story.