Israeli army raids cities, refugee camps in West Bank

By Qais Abu Samra

RAMALLAH, Palestine (AA) – The Israeli army raided several cities and refugee camps across the occupied West Bank early Monday morning, according to Palestinian local sources.

Witnesses told Anadolu that the Israeli army stormed towns in Bethlehem and Hebron, as well as the cities of Ramallah, Al-Bireh, and Qalqilya.

It also raided the refugee camps of Balata in Nablus, Tulkarm, and Nur Shams near Tulkarm.

Clashes erupted between Palestinians and the army in the Balata refugee camp, with the latter using live fire, the witnesses said.

They also noted that an armed confrontation occurred between Palestinians and the army in the camp.

The army also arrested several Palestinians during the raids.

Armed clashes also broke out between Palestinians and the army during its incursion into the city of Tulkarm and the refugee camps of Tulkarm and Nur Shams, according to local resources.

In Ramallah, the Israeli army raided a house in the Balou neighborhood, arresting a civilian, leading to confrontations with Palestinians, the sources added.

Meanwhile, the army continued its military operation in Qalqilya, raiding Palestinian homes and arresting at least two people.

Sources also reported armed clashes between the Israeli army and Palestinian groups in the city.

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 last October.

Israel stands accused of genocide at the International Court of Justice, which in an interim ruling in January ordered Tel Aviv to stop genocidal acts and take measures to guarantee that humanitarian assistance is provided to civilians in Gaza, where more than 31,000 people have been killed.

*Writing by Mohammad Sio in Istanbul