JERUSALEM

The Israeli army on Wednesday raised the state of alert among its forces in the West Bank amid tension in the occupied territory.

The move came a day after three Israeli settlers were killed and three others injured in an attack inside a settlement in the northern West Bank.

Israeli public broadcaster KAN said the army instructed its forces to raise the level of preparedness for the next 72 hours in anticipation of possible attacks.

According to Israeli estimates, 25 Israeli settlers have been killed in attacks this year.

Palestinian health authorities, meanwhile, said 198 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli army fire since the start of 2022, including 52 in the Gaza Strip.

Tension has been running high across the West Bank in recent weeks amid repeated Israeli raids to detain what they say "wanted Palestinians" or to demolish Palestinian homes. The raids spark clashes with Palestinians, causing several fatalities.

Israeli and Palestinian estimates indicate there are about 650,000 settlers living in 164 settlements and 116 outposts in the West Bank, including in occupied East Jerusalem.

Under international law, all Jewish settlements in occupied territories are considered illegal.

* Writing by Ahmed Asmar