The Israeli military launched a series of operations in Bethlehem involving the detention of individuals
The Israeli Defense Forces have initiated a series of operations in Bethlehem, located in the southern region of the occupied West Bank, detaining at least 17 individuals.
On Monday night, a campaign directed at the Dheisheh Refugee Camp, located south of the city, was launched. This initiative has been condemned by Palestinian organizations and media as part of what they describe as the regime’s continued systematic strategy to exert pressure on the families of Palestinians who have been killed or incarcerated by the authorities.
Journalists from Al Jazeera’s Arabic service have verified the occurrence of the abductions, according to the Qatar-based news network.
Among those abducted were siblings of Omar Manaa, an individual who lost his life during a 2022 raid on Bethlehem conducted by regime forces. The group also included former prisoners Karam Nasry, Yazan Jaidi, and Saleh Jaidi.
Following their capture, the victims were restrained with ropes and transported to a facility where they underwent questioning.
According to Palestinian sources, the measures implemented have been characterized as further attempts by the authorities to instill fear among the Palestinian population. Residents in the area have also reported hearing noises consistent with breaking and shattering emanating from the location.
The operation targeting the camp included forces conducting raids on several residences, among them the home of recently released detainee Raghad Shamroukh.
Sources report that Israeli forces persist in their blockade of the camp, conducting additional raids and detaining residents.
In a series of operations across the West Bank, security forces conducted raids in various locations including the town of Dura, situated west of al-Khalil in the southern region of the occupied Palestinian territories. Additional raids were carried out in the Kafr Saba neighborhood of Qalqilya city, and within the Balata Refugee Camp in Nablus, both in the northern sector of the West Bank. Reports indicate that the operation in Balata escalated into confrontations between the advancing troops and Palestinian combatants.
Since October of last year, the regime has significantly intensified its aggressive actions throughout the region, launching a campaign in the Gaza Strip that has been described as genocidal.
The United Nations has reported that a minimum of 732 Palestinians have lost their lives due to actions by the regime’s forces in the West Bank. In addition, the regime has been responsible for the deaths of approximately 43,846 Palestinians, predominantly women and children, in the Gaza region.
