Israeli forces arrest 85 more Palestinians in West Bank

By Qais Abu Samra

RAMALLAH, Palestine (AA) – The Israeli army arrested 85 more Palestinians in the West Bank, bringing the total number of detainees since Oct. 7 to 1,460, the Palestinian Prisoners Club announced on Thursday.

The Israeli forces arrested more than 85 citizens on Wednesday night and Thursday morning from cities and towns in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, the club stated in a press release.

Those arrested included some Hamas leaders and five women, the club added.

It further stated: “The total number of prisoners in Israeli custody has now reached approximately 6,700 following the recent waves of arrests since Oct. 7.”

The conflict in Gaza began when the Palestinian group Hamas initiated Operation Al-Aqsa Flood -- a multi-pronged surprise attack on Oct. 7 that included a barrage of rocket launches and infiltrations into Israel by land, sea, and air.

Hamas said the incursion was in retaliation for the storming of the Al-Aqsa Mosque and growing violence by Israeli settlers against Palestinians.

The Israeli military then launched a relentless bombardment of Hamas targets in the Gaza Strip.

Nearly 8,000 people have been killed in the conflict, including at least 6,546 Palestinians and 1,400 Israelis.

Gaza’s 2.3 million residents have been running out of food, water, medicine, and fuel, and aid convoys allowed into Gaza have carried only a fraction of what is needed.

*Writing by Rania Abu Shamala