Israeli army raids 5 currency exchange offices, arrests 21 Palestinians in West Bank

By Anadolu staff

JERUSALEM (AA) - Israeli forces has raided five currency exchange companies in the occupied West Bank, seizing 10 million shekels ($2.7 million) and arresting 21 Palestinians.

In a joint statement, the police, army, and Shin Bet said that on Wednesday evening they "conducted a wide-ranging operation across the West Bank to seize funds belonging to Hamas."

Twenty-one suspects have been arrested from Ramallah, Jenin, Hebron, Tulkarm, Attil, and al-Bireh, the statement added.

According to the statement, substantial amounts of money, totaling tens of millions of shekels, safes, documents, registration systems, and phones were found and seized.

There have been no comments from the Palestine Monetary Authority or exchange companies on the statement.

Israeli's Channel 12 said that Defense Minister Yoav Galant decided last night to declare five exchange companies in the West Bank “terrorist organizations” due to their activity in transferring funds to Palestinian groups Hamas and Islamic Jihad in Gaza and the West Bank.

Tensions have been high across the West Bank since fighting broke out in Gaza on Oct. 7 between Palestinian groups and Israel.

According to the Palestinian Health Ministry, 311 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces in the West Bank since Oct. 7, with over 3,300 others injured.

*Writing by Mohammad Sio