General strike called in West Bank in protest against Israeli attack

A general strike has been called for Friday in the city of Tulkarm in the West Bank in protest against an Israeli airstrike that killed at least 18 people the previous day.

According to the Palestinian Health Ministry in the West Bank's Ramallah, the attack by an Israeli fighter jet hit a residential building with a café on the ground floor, killing at least 18, including children.

The Israeli military confirmed the airstrike, saying it was aimed at the Hamas leader, Zahi Yaser Abd al-Razeq Oufi, who had allegedly been involved in numerous attacks on Israelis. It said other members of the terrorist network were also killed in the strike.

The airstrike was the first of its kind in the West Bank in years.

According to Palestinian sources, more than 700 Palestinians have been killed in the West Bank since the beginning of the Gaza war almost a year ago, in fighting with the army, attempted attacks on Israelis and at the hands of radical Israeli settlers.

Israel has occupied the West Bank since 1967.

Public life is already limited on Fridays in the West Bank, as Friday is an important day for Muslims, much like Sunday is for Christians.