Israeli army raids occupied West Bank ahead of Palestinian prisoners release

ISTANBUL

As Israel prepared to release a group of Palestinian prisoners as part of the Gaza ceasefire deal with Hamas on Saturday, its forces carried out a series of raids across the occupied West Bank targeting Palestinian homes and threatening the families of those expected to be freed, sources and witnesses said.

In Nablus, northern West Bank, Israeli bulldozers and military vehicles stormed the town of Yasid.

A house was bombarded with an explosive device, though no injuries were reported. Israeli forces then raided the structure, arrested a Palestinian and his wife, and seized their vehicle, according to the Palestinian news agency Wafa.

In Bethlehem, forces raided the Aida and Azza refugee camps, targeting the homes of two prisoners, Jawad Jawarish and Ahmed Al-Azza, who are expected to be released as part of the deal.

In Hebron, Israeli forces entered the town of Ash-Shuyukh, in the northeastern part of the governorate. They also raided the home of prisoner Musa Muhammad Abdullah Halaika, who is also due for release.

The Israeli military’s incursions and detentions also extended to Ramallah, where the homes of several others prisoners due for release were raided.

The Israeli attacks come as Al-Qassam Brigades released two Israeli captives, Tal Shoham and Avera Mengistu, from Rafah in southern Gaza. Four more Israeli captives are set for release in Nuseirat, central Gaza Strip later on Saturday.

In exchange, Israel will set free 602 Palestinian prisoners, including 50 serving life sentences and 60 with lengthy prison terms.

Meanwhile, 47 prisoners who were re-arrested after being freed in the 2011 Shalit deal will be released along with 445 detainees from Gaza who were detained after Oct. 7, 2023.

The ceasefire deal took effect last month, halting Israel’s genocidal war, which has killed more than 48,000 people, mostly women and children, and left the enclave in ruins.