Israeli army raids areas across West Bank, arrests more Palestinians

By Qais Abu Samra

RAMALLAH, Palestine (AA) - The Israeli army on Thursday stormed into several areas across the occupied West Bank to arrest more Palestinians, triggering clashes.

Eyewitnesses told Anadolu that the Israeli forces raided several homes in Qabatiya town, near Jenin city, and at least arrested three Palestinians.

The Israeli forces clashed with dozens of Palestinians in the town, leaving at least one Palestinian injured by Israeli live ammunition, eyewitnesses added.

A large number of Israeli forces raided Qalqilya city, in the northern West Bank, and raided homes during which assaults on Palestinians were reported.

Further Israeli army incursions were reported in Ramallah, Hebron, and Jericho, with a number of Palestinians being arrested by the Israeli forces, according to the eyewitnesses.

Tensions have been running high across the West Bank since Israel launched a deadly military offensive against the Gaza Strip after a cross-border attack by Hamas on Oct. 7, 2023.

Nearly 500 Palestinians have since been killed and around 4,900 others injured by Israeli army fire in the occupied territory, according to the Health Ministry.

Israel stands accused of genocide at the International Court of Justice which in January issued an interim ruling that ordered Tel Aviv to stop genocidal acts and take measures to guarantee that humanitarian assistance is provided to civilians in Gaza.

*Writing by Ahmed Asmar in Ankara