Settler Violence, Military Raids Escalate in West Bank Amid Barrier Expansion
Israeli forces and settlers intensified actions across the West Bank over the weekend, with reports of military incursions and settler attacks on Palestinians and their property. Simultaneously, updated Palestinian data reveals a significant expansion of checkpoints and obstacles, totaling 942 across the territory.
In the early hours of Saturday, Israeli forces raided the town of Kafr Aqab north of Jerusalem and the city of Al-Bireh, deploying vehicles before withdrawing. They also entered neighborhoods in Al-Bireh and the Amari refugee camp, firing tear gas, though no injuries or arrests were reported.
Friday saw multiple raids and arrests, with at least six Palestinians detained, including a 17-year-old from Beita, south of Nablus. A father and son were arrested in Tulkarm, and three others were detained in Jenin.
Concurrently, settlers attacked Palestinian vehicles and property. In Rantis, west of Ramallah, settlers partially burned three cars and spray-painted racist slogans. In the southern Nablus area, settlers detained and assaulted young men near Beita and attacked a Palestinian woman with pepper spray in Aqrabah. Settlers also stole livestock and a tractor from Qabalan, south of Nablus, and attacked shepherds in the northern Jordan Valley.
Settler attacks also targeted agricultural lands. In Al-Minyah, southeast of Bethlehem, dozens of olive trees were uprooted. Israeli forces also uprooted olive trees in Beit Ur al-Fauqa, west of Ramallah, and issued a notice for the seizure of 29 dunams of land. In Biddu, northwest of Jerusalem, Israeli forces sealed the home of a wounded prisoner with metal sheets, with a demolition notice posted.
The Palestinian Barrier and Settlement Resistance Commission reported the total number of checkpoints, closures, and obstacles in the West Bank has reached 942, including 824 fixed points and 118 other barriers like berms and trenches. Hebron Governorate has the highest number with 221, followed by Ramallah and Al-Bireh with 160. The commission stated this expansion fragments Palestinian geographical continuity and imposes increasing restrictions on movement.
