Israeli army conducts raids across West Bank, arrests more Palestinians

RAMALLAH, Palestine

The Israeli army launched a series of raids across various cities and towns in the occupied West Bank early Monday morning, arresting more Palestinians.

Witnesses reported to Anadolu that the Israeli military raided the city of Jenin and its refugee camp in the northern West Bank, where they stormed several homes in the eastern part of the city.

The raids sparked armed clashes with Palestinian residents. Witnesses also described hearing explosions intermittently throughout the operation.

One person was injured by live fire during the military's incursion into the city, medical sources in Jenin informed Anadolu.

In a separate operation, the Israeli army raided the city of Ramallah in the central West Bank, targeting the Tira neighborhood.

According to witnesses, the raid led to confrontations with dozens of Palestinians. The army also arrested a resident after assaulting him and allowing police dogs to attack him, the witnesses said.

In Qalqilya, local sources reported that the Israeli army conducted a raid and detained at least one individual.

The Israeli military also carried out raids in towns within Bethlehem and Hebron in the southern West Bank, as well as in other areas of Ramallah, before eventually withdrawing.

As of yet, no official statement has been released by authorities or organizations concerned with prisoners' affairs regarding the total number of detainees.

Tensions have been running high across the West Bank since Israel launched a deadly military offensive against the Gaza Strip that has killed nearly 39,800 people since Oct. 7, 2023, following a Hamas attack.

At least 620 Palestinians have since been killed and nearly 5,400 others injured by Israeli army fire in the occupied territory, according to the Palestinian Health Ministry.

In a landmark advisory opinion on July 19, the International Court of Justice declared Israel's decades-long occupation of Palestinian land "illegal" and demanded the evacuation of all existing settlements in the West Bank and East Jerusalem.

* Writing by Mohammad Sio.