Escalating Violence: Israeli Forces Intensify Attacks in West Bank Amid Gaza Conflict
The ongoing conflict in Gaza has seen a significant escalation in violence in the West Bank, with Israeli forces and settlers intensifying their attacks on Palestinian residents. Since the onset of the war on October 7, 2023, the situation has deteriorated, leading to numerous casualties and widespread unrest.
On Sunday, the Israeli occupation forces launched a series of aggressive operations in the West Bank, utilizing live ammunition, conducting arrests, and raiding homes. In Nablus, three Palestinians, including two minors aged 15 and 17, were injured by live bullets during violent clashes with Israeli forces in the Old City. Reports from the Palestinian News Agency (WAFA) indicated that Israeli special forces stormed the Al-Maslamani courtyard, unleashing smoke and sound bombs, which exacerbated the tensions in the area.
The violence was not limited to Nablus. In Hebron, Israeli forces arrested a resident from Yatta following a raid on his home, while also injuring a driver in a vehicle chase that led to a crash. Furthermore, military actions included the tightening of security measures at the entrances to various camps, obstructing the movement of citizens and causing widespread distress among the local population.
In the village of Umm Safa, located northwest of Ramallah, Israeli forces bulldozed approximately 500 dunums of agricultural land as part of efforts to establish a new colonial outpost. Marwan Al-Sabah, the head of the village council, confirmed that this destruction of land had been ongoing for several days, further complicating the lives of residents already affected by the conflict.
The toll of the violence since the beginning of the Gaza war has been staggering, with more than 710 Palestinians reported killed, around 5,700 injured, and over 10,700 arrested, according to official Palestinian sources. As the situation continues to unfold, the humanitarian crisis in the region deepens, raising urgent calls for international intervention and support for the affected communities.
