JERUSALEM, March 18 (Reuters) - Three Palestinian women were killed in an Iranian missile attack in the occupied West Bank late on Wednesday, the Palestinian Red Crescent said, in the first deadly
Iranian Missile Strike in West Bank Kills Three Palestinian Women, Thirteen Injured
Details and Impact of the Missile Strike
Incident Overview
JERUSALEM, March 18 (Reuters) - Three Palestinian women were killed in an Iranian missile attack in the occupied West Bank late on Wednesday, the Palestinian Red Crescent said, in the first deadly Iranian strike there, and the first to kill Palestinians, since the start of the U.S.-Israeli war with Iran.
Location and Immediate Aftermath
Strike Location
The missile struck a hair salon in the town of Beit Awwa, southwest of Hebron, the Palestinian Authority's official news agency WAFA reported. Thirteen were wounded, one of them seriously.
Type of Weapon Used
The Israeli military said it understood the strike was caused by a cluster munition, a warhead that splits into tiny bomblets that scatter into a disparate area.
Wider Context and Ongoing Conflict
Casualties Since the Conflict Began
At least 15 people have been killed in Israel since Israel and the U.S. launched attacks on Iran at the end of February, sparking a regional conflict.
Iranian Missile Activity
Iran has been sending daily missiles towards Israel, and there have been no reports of it deliberately targeting Israeli-occupied Palestinian territories.
Impact on Civilians
Bomb Shelter Access
Most Israelis have access to bomb shelters that protect them from cluster munitions and falling debris, but virtually no such shelters exist for Palestinians in the West Bank.
Warning Systems
Many Palestinians rely on either the sound of sirens from Jewish settlements or neighbouring cities in Israel to alert them to rocket volleys.
Background on West Bank Settlements
Legal Status and Claims
The settlements, built on land captured by Israel in the 1967 Middle East war, are regarded as illegal by most world powers. Israel denies the settlements are illegal and asserts a biblical birthright to the land.
Current Situation in the West Bank
Community Response
The streets in the West Bank have been packed in recent days as many Palestinian families purchase sweets and presents in anticipation of the Eid al-Fitr holiday marking the end of Ramadan.
Reporting Credits
(Reporting by Pesha Magid, Ali Sawafta and Roleen Tafakji; Editing by Howard Goller and Stephen Coates)
