Escalating Violence in West Bank Despite Fading Regional Conflict Fears

Violence spread to the West Bank as two Israeli sisters were killed in a suspected Palestinian attack, while tensions in Jerusalem eased after overnight airstrikes and rocket fire. At least 40 Palestinians were wounded and hundreds arrested after Israeli police raided the al-Aqsa Mosque compound on consecutive nights. The Holy Esplanade is a potent symbol of religious and political identity for both Israelis and Palestinians, and its status is among the most intractable obstacles to resolving the decades-old conflict here.