Israeli forces kill three Palestinian militants in West Bank gunfight

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Three Palestinian militants were killed after opening fire on Israeli troops near the West Bank city of Nablus on Sunday, according to the Israeli Defense Forces. 

Another armed gunman surrendered himself to Israeli troops and was transferred to security personnel for questioning, the IDF said. Three M-16 rifles, a handgun, and ammunition were confiscated after the shooting. 

Israeli soldiers operate in village of Sarra near the Palestinians West Bank city of Nablus, Sunday, March 12, 2023.  (AP Photo/Majdi Mohammed)

The Palestinian militants were members of the Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigade, a militant group connected to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas’ Fatah party, according to the Associated Press. 

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The gunmen opened fire at an Israeli military post near Nablus, one of many cities in the West Bank and Israel that has seen escalating violence in recent months. Eleven Palestinians were killed during an Israeli raid targeting three members of the Lion’s Den terrorist group on Feb. 22. 

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A Palestinian gunman shot and killed two Israeli brothers on Feb. 26 near Har Bracha, a West Bank settlement about one mile south of Nablus. 

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One day later, a 27-year-old U.S.-Israeli dual-national was shot and killed in the West Bank city of Jerico. Three Palestinian suspects were arrested days later during an IDF raid. 

Israeli forces fatally shot three Palestinian gunmen who opened fire on troops near the West Bank city of Nablus.  (AP Photo/Majdi Mohammed)

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin traveled to Israel this week to meet with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu amid the increased tensions. 

“Secretary Austin offered condolences to the Prime Minister for the recent victims of terrorism and reaffirmed his commitment to Israel’s right to defend itself against such attacks,” the Pentagon said on Friday. 

“The Secretary emphasized the importance of implementing commitments made by Israeli and Palestinian senior officials in Aqaba, Jordan on February 26, and urged immediate steps to de-escalate violence and work towards a just and lasting peace.”

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Austin was referring to a meeting between Jordanian, Egyptian, U.S., Israeli, and Palestinian officials in Aqaba, Jordan. Representatives from those five groups released a joint statement after the Feb. 26 meeting saying that they “reaffirmed the necessity of committing to de-escalation on the ground.”

Paul Best is a breaking news reporter for Fox News Digital and Fox Business. Story tips and ideas can be sent to Paul.Best@fox.com and on Twitter: @KincaidBest.