Israeli occupation forces escalated their military campaign across various parts of occupied Palestine’s West Bank late Thursday and early Friday, carrying out violent raids in Hebron and launching tear gas attacks during clashes in Beita, south of Nablus. Settlers also torched Palestinian-owned properties near Ramallah, further exacerbating tensions in the region.
The fires that the West doesn’t want to talk about.
Just Israeli settlers burning Palestinians farms in the name of “ self determination and liberation”
Israeli Settlers set fire to a farm in the town of Abu Falah, northeast of Ramallah, pic.twitter.com/th1UPongoS
— Abier (@abierkhatib) January 10, 2025
Crackdown in Response to Fatal Attack
Israeli enemy army radio reported on Friday that the army is conducting operations in areas linked to a recent deadly attack in the town of “Al-Funduq.” Troops raided the town of Qabatiya near Jenin, searching the home of a man alleged to be connected to the attack. According to Israeli occupation officials cited by Israel Hayom, there are calls within the military to escalate operations in the West Bank, including deploying tanks, to confront Palestinian resistance groups.
Meanwhile, Palestinian factions have pushed back against Israeli aggression. The Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades in Jenin announced they had identified and engaged an undercover Israeli unit near Qabatiya, resulting in intense gun battles. Videos shared on Palestinian platforms showed Israeli military vehicles storming the town.
At least eight Palestinians, including a woman, were arrested during Israeli raids in Qabatiyah. Similar operations were reported in Talluza and Bazan, north of Nablus, and the Jalazone refugee camp near Ramallah. In Ni’lin, west of Ramallah, a young Palestinian man was injured by live fire.
Settler Violence and More Raids
In Abu Falah, northeast of Ramallah, settlers set fire to a property, as documented by Palestinian media. Meanwhile, Israeli occupation forces conducted raids in Deir Istiya in Salfit and arrested several young men in Asira Al-Shamaliya near Nablus.
In Hebron’s old city, two Palestinians suffered injuries after being attacked by Israeli soldiers on Thursday night.
Israeli Forces Target Families of Prisoners
Israeli occupation forces demolished two Palestinian homes in Tulkarm and Qalqilya on Friday, one of them for the second time. The first home, located in the Tulkarm refugee camp, belonged to the family of Mahmoud Sleit “Abu Hanoud,” a Palestinian prisoner accused of involvement in the twin operations at Beit Lid and Bal’a in November 2023. This house had previously been partially demolished in September 2024.
Tulkaram | West Bank 🚨
Local sources: Israeli occupation forces have demolished the home of prisoner Mahmoud Sleit Abu Hnood,who is responsible for Beit Lid and Bal’a twin shooting operations according to Israeli claims. pic.twitter.com/DGXtTcX6H0
— West Bank Observer (@wb_observer9) January 9, 2025
Forced Evictions in Qalqilya
In Qalqilya, local residents reported that Israeli enemy forces detonated explosives in the house of Abdel Hadi Badran’s family in Azzun village. The family was forced to evacuate before the explosion, which caused significant structural damage to the house and destroyed its contents. A vehicle belonging to the Badran family was also damaged in the blast.
Expanding Settlements and Military Presence
Hebron, another hotbed of Israeli enemy brutality, continues to see the proliferation of settlements. Approximately 500 settlers reside in the heart of the city, protected by hundreds of Israeli occupation soldiers. Across the West Bank, including east of occupied Jerusalem, over 720,000 settlers now live in illegal outposts, further entrenching the occupation and exacerbating tensions in the region.
Source: Al-Manar Website
