Israeli occupation forces continued a large-scale military operation across the occupied West Bank for a fourth consecutive day on Thursday, with the city of Hebron (Al-Khalil) at the center of intensified raids, curfews, arrests, home demolitions, and settler attacks reported across multiple governorates.

According to Palestinian sources and the official news agency WAFA, Israeli forces redeployed heavily overnight in Hebron after briefly easing a curfew that had been imposed for several days. Troops concentrated in the Jabal Jawhar area and southern neighborhoods of the city, sealing off entire districts and reinstating strict movement restrictions.

Residents were allowed to leave their homes on foot for several hours on Wednesday evening to obtain basic necessities, though vehicles were prohibited. During that period, Israeli forces reportedly assaulted civilians, injuring at least five Palestinians with fractures and bruises. The injured were transferred to local hospitals.

Israeli forces also isolated neighborhoods from one another, installed new iron gates, destroyed dozens of civilian vehicles, and carried out extensive house searches accompanied by on-the-spot interrogations. Local sources said at least two Palestinians were detained during the latest phase of the operation.

Earlier this week, the Israeli army and the Shin Bet security service announced the operation would last several days and involve border police units, claiming it targets armed activity and illegal weapons.

Beyond Hebron, Israeli occupation forces carried out raids and arrest campaigns across the West Bank.

In Jerusalem, a 26-year-old Palestinian was shot with live ammunition near the separation wall in the town of al-Ram, north of the city. The Palestinian Red Crescent said he was wounded in the lower back and transferred to a hospital in Ramallah.

In the Nablus governorate, settlers attacked the village of Urif, setting fire to more than ten Palestinian vehicles and pieces of heavy machinery. Three Palestinians were injured in the attacks, which residents said took place under the protection of Israeli forces.

Arrest operations were also reported in Ramallah and al-Bireh, Jenin, Jericho, Tubas, Bethlehem, and surrounding towns and refugee camps. According to Palestinian prisoner advocacy groups and Quds News Network, those targeted included youths, former detainees, and at least one previously released female prisoner.

Among those re-arrested were Saja Daraghmeh, detained after a raid on her family home in Tayasir, east of Tubas, and Fouad Dar Khalil, re-arrested in Sinjil, north of Ramallah. In Jericho, Jihad Ahmed Abu Dahouk was detained during a raid on his home in Aqabat Jabr refugee camp, while Muhammad Munther Abbas was arrested in al-Amari refugee camp.

Additional raids were reported in Beit Rima, Ras Karkar, Turmus Ayya, Za’tara, Tammun, Beit Ummar, Silat al-Harithiya, and several neighborhoods in Jenin. Residents said Israeli forces broke down doors, vandalized property, and conducted prolonged field interrogations. In Ras Karkar, troops reportedly threatened to arrest the parents of a young man if he did not surrender himself.

Israeli forces also demolished three homes belonging to three brothers in the town of Shuqba, west of Ramallah, without prior warning. Families were forcibly expelled, leaving at least 22 people homeless, according to local sources.

Meanwhile, Israeli media reported that far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir approved the expansion of firearms permits for residents of 18 additional settlements in the West Bank, a move Palestinians warn will further fuel settler violence.

Since the start of Israel’s war on Gaza in October 2023, Israeli forces and settlers have sharply escalated operations across the West Bank. Palestinian figures indicate that at least 1,107 Palestinians have been killed, nearly 11,000 injured, and more than 21,000 detained across the West Bank, including occupied East Jerusalem, during this period.

Last July, the International Court of Justice ruled that Israel’s occupation of Palestinian territory is illegal and called for the dismantling of settlements and an end to Israeli control over occupied land. Despite the ruling, Israeli military operations and settlement expansion have continued. (ILKHA)