Army and police put on high alert Israel fearing a Palestinian attack in retaliation for the deaths of 10 Palestinians during today’s Israeli operation in the occupied West Bank.

The Israeli police said in a statement that they have increased their level of alert by increasing their presence in Jerusalem and other cities, fearing possible acts of retaliation by armed Palestinians.

At the same time, the Iron Dome (Israel’s missile defense system) is ready to intercept possible missile attacks from the Gaza Strip, while the Israeli army emphasizes that it has been put on a high level of alert.

Ten Palestinians were killed, including a 16-year-old boy, and more than 100 others were wounded by Israeli soldiers during a raid in Nablus, in the northern part of the occupied West Bank.

Strong concern from the State Department

The US State Department tonight expressed deep concern about the escalation of violence in the Middle East. A State Department spokesman said the US government was concerned that an Israeli military operation in the West Bank could derail efforts to restore calm in the region.

According to Ned Price, Washington acknowledges Israel’s security concerns, but is also concerned about civilian casualties and a high number of wounded.

^{Source: APE-MEB, Xinhua, Reuters.}