Israeli army raids several areas across occupied West Bank to arrest Palestinians

By Qais Abu Samra

RAMALLAH, Palestine (AA) - The Israeli army early on Thursday carried out several raids against areas across the occupied West Bank to arrest Palestinians, while 3 Israelis were injured in an attack near Qalqilya city.

Eyewitnesses told Anadolu that the Israeli army stormed into Tulkarem city, the northern West Bank, raided several homes, and arrested a journalist, identified as Hazem Naser, before its withdrawal from the city.

In the central West Bank, the Israeli army also raided the towns of Kafr Ni'ma, Silwad and Abwein.

More Israeli raids were reported in areas in Nablus and Jenin cities in the northern West Bank.

Meanwhile, three Israelis were injured near the town of Nabi Ilyas, east of Qalqilya city, from opening fire by a passing car through an Israeli military checkpoint near the Palestinian town.

According to the Israeli public broadcaster KAN, the perpetrators escaped the scene while the Israeli army launched an operation to chase the car that opened fire.

It added that the three Israelis suffered light and moderate injuries.

Tensions have been running high across the occupied West Bank amid a deadly Israeli offensive that killed over 39,100 people in the Gaza Strip since Oct. 7, 2023.

Nearly 590 Palestinians have since been killed and nearly 5,400 others injured by Israeli army fire in the occupied West Bank, according to the Health Ministry.

The International Court of Justice, in an advisory opinion on July 19, declared Israel's decades-long occupation of Palestinian land "unlawful" and should be brought to an end "as rapidly as possible."

*Writing by Ahmed Asmar