Israeli Military Operations Intensify in the West Bank Amid Settlement Expansion Plans
Dozens of Palestinians arrested as Israeli cabinet approves new settlement proposal.
Israeli forces conducted extensive operations across Palestinian cities and towns in the West Bank, arresting numerous individuals on Sunday as part of ongoing military actions in Tulkarm and Jenin.
Concurrently, the Israeli cabinet, known as the Security Cabinet, approved a plan to recognize the independence of 13 settlements, a move seen as a significant step in the ongoing settlement expansion in the region.
In Nablus, Israeli forces apprehended four Palestinians, three in the village of Itma and one in Burin, following raids on their homes where they searched and damaged personal belongings, according to local sources.
In Qalqilya, five Palestinians were arrested after Israeli troops entered the city from its eastern entrance, dispersing throughout several neighborhoods including Kafr Saba and Al-Qar’an.
Additionally, in Bethlehem, the military raided the town of Zatara, targeting one residence.
Three individuals were also arrested in Ramallah from the town of Silwad, located east of the city.
The Palestinian Prisoners' Society reported that Israeli authorities renewed administrative detention orders for 65 prisoners, highlighting ongoing detention practices.
In Jenin, Israeli forces escalated military presence, deploying additional troops to the Jenin refugee camp in northern West Bank.
Reports indicated a continuous aerial surveillance by Israeli drones over the camp and city since early morning.
Local sources noted that military reinforcements were moved from the Jalameh military checkpoint into Jenin, with continued house searches and patrols by armored vehicles within the area.
The municipality of Jenin reported that approximately 66 residential buildings, equating to about 300 housing units, have been marked for demolition by Israeli forces.
The military actions in Jenin have persisted for 62 consecutive days, resulting in 34 fatalities and numerous injuries, while displacing thousands of residents.
Simultaneously, Tulkarm has witnessed ongoing military engagement for 56 consecutive days, particularly affecting the Nur Shams refugee camp.
Recently, Israeli forces evacuated residents from ten homes in the Al-Rabay’a neighborhood of Tulkarm, providing them with a deadline for relocation.
This followed prior evacuations in the Al-Muqata’a area, where homes were reportedly converted into military outposts, prompting forced displacement among the population.
In addition, the Israeli military increased its presence in various neighborhoods, utilizing heavy machinery and bulldozers for demolition and infrastructure damage, while erecting earth mounds to block access.
On the settlement front, Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich confirmed the Security Cabinet's approval of his proposal to separate 13 settlements in the West Bank.
Smotrich characterized this as a significant advancement towards normalizing settlement activity, stating these settlements would be recognized as independent entities.
The proposed settlements for separation include: Alon, Harsha, Kerem Re'im, Neriya, Magron, Shvut Rachel, Evnat, Brosh Habikaah (Petronot), Lishim, Novi Nehemia, Tel Menashe, and Evi Hanachal, among others.
As of the end of 2024, the number of settlers in the occupied West Bank is reported to be over 770,000, distributed across 180 settlements and 256 outposts, including 138 classified as agricultural and grazing areas.
Officially sanctioned settlements are established with government approval, while outposts are set up autonomously by settlers.
Since the escalation of the Gaza conflict, reports indicate that Israeli settlers and military actions in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, have resulted in over 937 Palestinian deaths and around 7,000 injuries, with over 15,700 arrests recorded.
Following the military confrontations that began on October 7, 2023, it is reported that over 162,000 Palestinians in Gaza have been killed or injured, with a significant number of casualties being children and women, and more than 14,000 reported missing.
Concurrently, the Israeli cabinet, known as the Security Cabinet, approved a plan to recognize the independence of 13 settlements, a move seen as a significant step in the ongoing settlement expansion in the region.
In Nablus, Israeli forces apprehended four Palestinians, three in the village of Itma and one in Burin, following raids on their homes where they searched and damaged personal belongings, according to local sources.
In Qalqilya, five Palestinians were arrested after Israeli troops entered the city from its eastern entrance, dispersing throughout several neighborhoods including Kafr Saba and Al-Qar’an.
Additionally, in Bethlehem, the military raided the town of Zatara, targeting one residence.
Three individuals were also arrested in Ramallah from the town of Silwad, located east of the city.
The Palestinian Prisoners' Society reported that Israeli authorities renewed administrative detention orders for 65 prisoners, highlighting ongoing detention practices.
In Jenin, Israeli forces escalated military presence, deploying additional troops to the Jenin refugee camp in northern West Bank.
Reports indicated a continuous aerial surveillance by Israeli drones over the camp and city since early morning.
Local sources noted that military reinforcements were moved from the Jalameh military checkpoint into Jenin, with continued house searches and patrols by armored vehicles within the area.
The municipality of Jenin reported that approximately 66 residential buildings, equating to about 300 housing units, have been marked for demolition by Israeli forces.
The military actions in Jenin have persisted for 62 consecutive days, resulting in 34 fatalities and numerous injuries, while displacing thousands of residents.
Simultaneously, Tulkarm has witnessed ongoing military engagement for 56 consecutive days, particularly affecting the Nur Shams refugee camp.
Recently, Israeli forces evacuated residents from ten homes in the Al-Rabay’a neighborhood of Tulkarm, providing them with a deadline for relocation.
This followed prior evacuations in the Al-Muqata’a area, where homes were reportedly converted into military outposts, prompting forced displacement among the population.
In addition, the Israeli military increased its presence in various neighborhoods, utilizing heavy machinery and bulldozers for demolition and infrastructure damage, while erecting earth mounds to block access.
On the settlement front, Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich confirmed the Security Cabinet's approval of his proposal to separate 13 settlements in the West Bank.
Smotrich characterized this as a significant advancement towards normalizing settlement activity, stating these settlements would be recognized as independent entities.
The proposed settlements for separation include: Alon, Harsha, Kerem Re'im, Neriya, Magron, Shvut Rachel, Evnat, Brosh Habikaah (Petronot), Lishim, Novi Nehemia, Tel Menashe, and Evi Hanachal, among others.
As of the end of 2024, the number of settlers in the occupied West Bank is reported to be over 770,000, distributed across 180 settlements and 256 outposts, including 138 classified as agricultural and grazing areas.
Officially sanctioned settlements are established with government approval, while outposts are set up autonomously by settlers.
Since the escalation of the Gaza conflict, reports indicate that Israeli settlers and military actions in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, have resulted in over 937 Palestinian deaths and around 7,000 injuries, with over 15,700 arrests recorded.
Following the military confrontations that began on October 7, 2023, it is reported that over 162,000 Palestinians in Gaza have been killed or injured, with a significant number of casualties being children and women, and more than 14,000 reported missing.
