Escalating Violence in the West Bank: Israeli Army Intensifies Operations Against Palestinians
The Israeli army has significantly expanded its military operations across the occupied West Bank, coinciding with a surge in violent attacks by Israeli settlers against Palestinian communities. Early Thursday morning, the occupation forces launched a series of raids in various towns and cities, resulting in multiple arrests and the destruction of property belonging to Palestinians.
In a particularly aggressive operation, the Israeli army targeted the shops and printing press of Palestinian prisoner Ghanem Alqam, who has been detained since September 17. The forces blew up his businesses, leaving them completely burned. This incident underscores the ongoing tension and violence in the region, as the Israeli military continues to conduct raids in towns like Safa, Al-Bireh, and Nablus, where numerous Palestinians have been arrested and homes invaded.
Eyewitnesses reported that the military operation in the town of Dura, south of Hebron, lasted for about 15 hours, during which the army raided numerous homes and shot a young man, further escalating fears among local residents. The situation in Jenin was similarly dire, where an 18-hour military operation resulted in the death of a woman and injuries to several others, alongside significant destruction of infrastructure.
The Palestinian Ministry of Health has reported a grim toll since the onset of the Israeli war on Gaza on October 7, with the death count in the West Bank and Jerusalem reaching 718. The violence has also led to approximately 5,750 injuries and over 10,900 arrests of Palestinians, as both the Israeli military and settlers intensify their assaults on Palestinian communities.
