Israeli Forces Conduct Raids in West Bank Amid Rising Tensions
On Friday, the West Bank experienced a surge in military activity as Israeli forces executed a series of raids and arrests across different regions, coinciding with heightened tensions since the onset of the Gaza conflict in October 2023.
In the Hebron governorate, Israeli forces apprehended three Palestinians from Hebron city and the towns of Deir Samet and Al-Samu during home searches, while also entering the towns of Dura and Halhul without making additional arrests.
In Tulkarem, forces operated in the towns of Anabta and Kafr al-Labad, the latter witnessing an explosion from an explosive device prior to their withdrawal. This occurred alongside ongoing demolitions in the Nur Shams camp.
Residents of Jenin expressed outrage after Israeli forces detained a Palestinian Red Crescent ambulance while it was transporting a medical patient near the Martyr Khalil Suleiman Government Hospital.
This escalation follows Israel's ongoing settlement expansion, with the Israeli civil administration having approved the "E1" project in August to establish new settlements over an area of 12 square kilometers to the east of Jerusalem.
Additionally, settler violence has surged since October 7, 2023.
International law considers Israeli settlements illegal, regardless of whether they are officially sanctioned or informal.
Currently, approximately 370 thousand Palestinians and over 230 thousand Israeli settlers reside in East Jerusalem, according to Israeli government data.
