Israeli Forces Raid West Bank Areas as Settlers Attack Palestinian Homes, Vehicles

WEST BANK: Israeli forces carried out raids and arrests in several parts of the occupied West Bank on Tuesday, while Israeli settlers separately attacked Palestinian communities south of Nablus.

According to the Palestinian Shehab News Agency, Israeli forces raided homes, searched residential areas and used live ammunition, stun grenades and tear gas during the operations. At least eight young Palestinian men were reportedly arrested.

The Palestine Red Crescent Society said a Palestinian civilian was shot and wounded during an Israeli military raid in eastern Nablus. Israeli forces also used tear gas against civilians in the area.

In the northern West Bank, Israeli forces raided the towns of Qabatiya, Fahma and Kafr Ra’i in Jenin. They also carried out raids in Bal’a and Deir al-Ghusun in Tulkarm and searched several homes.

The al-Far’a refugee camp south of Tubas was also surrounded by Israeli forces, with several homes later searched.

In Qalqilya, six Palestinian youths were reportedly arrested during a raid in Azzun. Israeli forces also searched homes in the Kafr Saba and Zaid neighbourhoods.

In the southern West Bank, Israeli forces raided the al-Fawwar refugee camp and searched Palestinian homes. The town of Tarqumiya, northwest of al-Khalil, was also raided.

Meanwhile, Israeli settlers attacked Palestinian communities in the villages of Talfit and Jalud south of Nablus. According to local reports, settlers attacked homes and set several vehicles and houses on fire.

Palestinian activist Bashar al-Qaryouti said three Palestinian vehicles were set on fire and that homes were damaged. He also said the area’s electricity network was affected.

The occupied West Bank has witnessed a sharp increase in Israeli military raids and settler attacks since October 2023, when Israel launched its war on Gaza. Palestinian figures cited in the report say at least 1,179 Palestinians have been killed, 12,666 injured and around 24,000 arrested since then.