Israel launches military operation after deadly clash near Palestinian village

TAL, West Bank: Four Palestinians and one Israeli were killed near a Palestinian village on Friday (Jul 24) in a confrontation that added to a growing toll over recent weeks as Israeli settler violence has intensified against Palestinians in the occupied West Bank.The incident near the village of Tal, southwest of Nablus, took place as settler attacks on Palestinian villages have increased sharply since the start of the year, according to figures from the United Nations.Israel's military said it had received reports that Israeli civilians who were hiking in the area had been attacked near the village, in the so-called Area A of the West Bank, an area under Palestinian Authority civil and security control that Israelis are officially prohibited from entering.It said a Palestinian man took a