Israel arrests 7 Palestinians; razes home in West Bank raid

By Anadolu staff

RAMALLAH, Palestine (AA) - Seven Palestinians, including one minor, were detained in an Israeli military raid early Saturday in the Jalazone refugee camp in the occupied West Bank, according to sources.

Israeli forces also demolished a two-story house in the camp, north of Ramallah, allegedly for lacking a building permit, said Palestinian news agency, WAFA, citing local sources.

Tension has been running high across the West Bank amid a massive Israeli bombardment campaign in the blockaded Gaza Strip. At least 110 Palestinians have been killed and nearly 1,530 detained by the Israeli army since Oct. 7, according to Palestinian figures.

The conflict in Gaza escalated dramatically after Hamas’ military wing carried out an unprecedented attack on Israel on Oct. 7 by firing thousands of rockets and sending hundreds of fighters into Israeli towns.

Israel responded with an uninterrupted campaign of air and artillery strikes on the Gaza Strip, and the government announced that it is preparing for a ground offensive to root out Hamas.

More than 8,700 people have been killed in the conflict, including at least 7,326 Palestinians and 1,400 Israelis.

Gaza’s 2.3 million residents are grappling with shortages of food, water, and medicine due to Israel’s massive air bombardment and total blockade of the enclave.