Israeli Forces Arrest 33 Palestinians in West Bank Sweep

Israeli forces arrested 33 Palestinians, including two journalists and minors, during widespread raids across several West Bank governorates on Thursday. The operation involved searching dozens of homes, with some properties reportedly damaged.

The arrests were concentrated in the Nablus, Bethlehem, Hebron, Jenin, Tubas, and Tulkarm governorates. Specifically, 17 individuals were detained in Nablus, seven in Bethlehem, three in Hebron, one in Jenin, two in Tubas, and three in Tulkarm, according to the Prisoners' Affairs Media Office.

Among those arrested were journalists Sabri Musa Jibril and Muath Amarna from the Bethlehem governorate, along with minors and released prisoners, including one freed just days prior. In Jenin, a special Israeli force reportedly infiltrated an area to arrest a released prisoner.

The Prisoners' Affairs Media Office condemned the targeting of journalists, children, and released prisoners, calling it part of a "policy of continuous harassment and arrest against Palestinians." The office also stated that Israeli forces searched and damaged contents in dozens of homes during the campaign.

These arrests occur amid escalating Israeli military incursions, settler attacks, and home demolitions in the West Bank, which have intensified since the start of the war in Gaza in October 2023. The Palestinian Prisoners' Club reports that over 9,400 Palestinians, including 370 children and 92 women, are currently held in Israeli prisons, with ongoing reports of torture, mistreatment, and medical neglect.