Israel raids 15 West Bank towns, detains dozens after Hebron attack
Israeli forces launched raids across the northern West Bank and imposed a full lockdown following a shooting that killed two soldiers in Hebron.
At a glance
- Israeli forces raided at least 15 towns in the northern West Bank, detaining dozens of Palestinians on Saturday.
- Prime Minister Netanyahu ordered a full lockdown of the West Bank, closing nearly 1,000 checkpoints, after a Hebron attack killed two Israeli soldiers.
- Israeli bulldozers demolished a building in Hebron and forced hundreds of families to evacuate, while officials warned collective punishment could spark further violence.
Israeli forces raided at least 15 towns in the northern occupied West Bank on Saturday, detaining dozens of Palestinians, according to Al Jazeera correspondents. The operation targeted cities including Nablus, Jenin, Tubas and Qalqilya, as well as surrounding villages.
The raids came hours after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered a full lockdown of the West Bank in response to a shooting attack near the settlement of Telem, close to Hebron, that killed two Israeli soldiers on Friday. The Israeli military said it killed two Palestinian gunmen involved in the attack and reported three additional soldiers injured.
As part of the lockdown, nearly 1,000 checkpoints and gates across the territory were closed, severely restricting movement for millions of Palestinians. In Hebron, Israeli bulldozers demolished a three‑storey building, giving residents five minutes to remove belongings, and ordered hundreds of families to evacuate the Ein Deir Bahha area. Troops also surrounded the home of a suspect in the Hebron shooting.
The Israeli army stated its operation in Hebron would last several days, with simultaneous operations in dozens of other locations. Forces also entered Jericho and the Aqabat Jabr refugee camp further east.
The escalation occurs amid rising tensions ahead of Israeli elections on Tuesday. Far‑right National Security Minister Itamar Ben‑Gvir called for Israel to take full control of the West Bank, where the government continues to expand settlements considered illegal under international law. Mustafa Barghouti, head of the Palestinian National Initiative, told Al Jazeera that the closure turns every community into “a small prison,” blocking access to healthcare, education and the economy, and warned that collective punishment “will lead to explosions.”
Source: Al Jazeera.
Questions and answers
- Why did Israel raid West Bank towns?
- The raids followed a shooting attack near Hebron that killed two Israeli soldiers, prompting Netanyahu to order a full lockdown.
- How many Palestinians were detained?
- Dozens of Palestinians were detained across at least 15 towns including Nablus, Jenin, Tubas and Qalqilya.
- What is the impact of the lockdown?
- Nearly 1,000 checkpoints and gates were closed, restricting movement for millions of Palestinians and disrupting healthcare, education and the economy.
