Israeli Forces Raid West Bank Towns, Detain Scores of Palestinians
Israeli forces raided at least 15 towns and localities across the occupied West Bank and detained scores of Palestinians on Saturday (October 24), Al Jazeera correspondents reported.
The raids came hours after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered a blockade across the West Bank following the killing of two Israeli soldiers in an attack in Hebron.
Israeli forces raided several towns and localities in the northern West Bank, including Nablus, Jenin, Tubas and Qalqilya. They searched Palestinian homes in the villages of Jalud and Qaryut near Nablus and detained several people. Arrests were also reported in Arraba and Burqin near Jenin. Troops also entered Tubas and the nearby town of Aqaba.
In Hebron, in the southern West Bank, Israeli forces demolished a three-storey building with a bulldozer. Residents were given just five minutes to remove their belongings. Hundreds of Palestinian families in the Ain Deir Baha area of Hebron and nearby areas were also ordered to leave their homes.
Israeli troops surrounded the home of one of the suspects in the killing of the two soldiers. They also raided the al-Jaladah area of Hebron.
On Friday night, the Israeli military said its operation in Hebron would continue for several days. It also announced plans for raids in dozens of other locations across the West Bank. Israeli forces also entered Jericho and the nearby Aqabat Jabr refugee camp.
As part of the blockade, Israel plans to close around 1,000 checkpoints and entry points across the West Bank. The move is expected to severely restrict the movement of millions of Palestinians.
On Friday, the Israeli military said it had killed two Palestinian gunmen who attacked a battalion of reserve soldiers near the Israeli settlement of Telem. Two Israeli soldiers were killed in the attack, while at least three others were injured, according to Israel’s emergency medical service.
Netanyahu ordered a complete blockade of the West Bank following the incident. Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank are illegal under international law.
Meanwhile, tensions are rising across the Palestinian territories. Allegations of attacks by Israeli settlers on Palestinian farmers have increased, particularly during the olive harvest season. The situation has become more volatile ahead of Israel’s election scheduled for Tuesday, Al Jazeera reported.
Israel’s far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir has called for Israel to establish full control over the West Bank following the deaths of the two soldiers. The Israeli government is also encouraging the construction of more settlements in the territory.
Mustafa Barghouti, secretary-general of the Palestinian National Initiative, said inflammatory statements by Israel’s far-right ministers were worsening the situation.
Speaking to Al Jazeera, Barghouti said the closure of entrances to West Bank towns and villages, along with checkpoints, was turning each area into a “small prison”. He said the restrictions were disrupting healthcare, the economy and education. He warned that such collective punishment of Palestinians could lead to a wider conflict.
Source: Al Jazeera
