NGOCSTIP – Israel intensified its military operations in the occupied West Bank as forces arrested more than one hundred Palestinians and imposed a sudden curfew in the city of Tulkarem. The large scale raids took place while the continuing offensive in Gaza forced over two hundred thousand Palestinians to flee the largest urban center of the enclave. Reports from Al Jazeera Arabic described how soldiers stormed shops and cafes detaining patrons and forcing residents into lines at checkpoints.
The military claimed the raids followed an incident where two Israeli soldiers were wounded after their vehicle was hit by an explosive device. This surge in arrests and curfew enforcement reflects a broader escalation that has accompanied the ongoing war in Gaza and shows how unrest in one area of the conflict fuels violence across other Palestinian territories. Humanitarian agencies have warned that the situation in the West Bank is becoming increasingly volatile with no sign of de escalation.
Israel expanded raids beyond Tulkarem targeting other parts of the West Bank after recent attacks on its soldiers. Soldiers entered shops cafes and homes detaining residents and escorting them to checkpoints under strict curfews. Witnesses reported that people marched in line toward Israeli military positions during the operation. The Israeli army said the action aimed to prevent further attacks after six people died in a Jerusalem shooting. Hamas armed wing the Qassam Brigades claimed responsibility for the deadly incident which left both suspects dead. Israel ordered demolition of the suspects homes and imposed sanctions against their families and nearby residents. Authorities targeted towns northwest of Jerusalem with these punitive measures to deter future attacks. Observers describe these actions as collective punishment and criticize Israel for violating human rights and raising tensions.
The curfew imposed by Israel created fear and uncertainty for Palestinians in the affected areas. Soldiers blocked roads restricted movement and controlled access to shops and markets across entire communities. Residents reported that daily life stopped as schools and workplaces closed during the strict lockdown. Human rights groups condemned the demolition of suspects homes and sanctions against their families as collective punishment. International law prohibits collective punishment under the Fourth Geneva Convention and related humanitarian standards. Al Jazeera correspondents described the West Bank as under complete siege with checkpoints surrounding key towns. Amnesty International warned that forced displacement and unlawful transfer violate the Fourth Geneva Convention. These actions fueled outrage among humanitarian groups and increased global accusations against Israel for violating international norms.
The crackdown in the West Bank is unfolding alongside Israel’s devastating war in Gaza which has already displaced hundreds of thousands of Palestinians. According to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs incidents of violence by Israeli settlers have surged during the conflict with more than one thousand eight hundred attacks recorded since October 2023. Homes civic infrastructure and farmland have been damaged as settlers act with impunity under the protection of Israeli forces.
Humanitarian agencies report that more than forty thousand Palestinians have been forcibly displaced from their homes as military operations continue. Food supplies medical care and clean water have become scarce creating a worsening humanitarian crisis. Amnesty International called the ongoing military campaign a grave breach of international law and warned that unlawful transfer of civilians constitutes a war crime. The situation remains dire as aid groups struggle to reach those trapped by military restrictions.
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Israel’s political shift to the far right intensifies conflict and strengthens policies rejecting a Palestinian state. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reaffirmed opposition to Palestinian sovereignty during a speech in the settlement of Maale Adumim. He vowed to double the population of the settlement despite widespread international criticism and mounting regional tension. International law labels all Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank illegal under numerous United Nations resolutions. The United Nations General Assembly repeatedly called on Israel to end its occupation and stop expanding settlements. Israel continues to expand settlements and conduct military crackdowns despite strong objections from global leaders and human rights groups. Diplomats and humanitarian organizations urge restraint while warning about potential escalation across the entire Middle East region. Regional leaders caution that raids curfews and settlement expansion could ignite wider conflict and destabilize the West Bank and beyond.
This article is sourced from aljazeera.com and for more details you can read at ngocstip.org
Writer: Sarah Azhari
Editor: Anisa
