Israel detains 15 Palestinians in West Bank raids

2026-03-23 - 06:39

Israeli forces conducted widespread military raids across the occupied West Bank on Sunday, detaining at least 15 Palestinians in multiple مناطق, according to Palestinian sources. The operations targeted areas near Jerusalem, Ramallah and Bethlehem, as tensions remain high following the Gaza war that began in October 2023. Detentions near Jerusalem According to local authorities, Israeli troops detained 12 Palestinian laborers near the Atarot industrial zone north of Jerusalem as they attempted to enter the city. The official Palestinian news agency WAFA reported that forces had set up an ambush before arresting the workers, noting that their conditions and locations remain unclear. Raids and home seizures in Ramallah area In the central West Bank, Israeli forces carried out raids in villages east of Ramallah, including Kafr Malik, Deir Jarir and Al-Mughayyir. Soldiers reportedly used live ammunition and took control of civilian homes, converting them into temporary military positions after forcing residents to leave. The houses belonged to local residents Hamza Asaad Abu Alia and Naseem Abu Alia, according to WAFA. Operations in Bethlehem and wider escalation Further south, Israeli troops established a checkpoint at the western entrance to rural Bethlehem, stopping vehicles and checking identification. In the nearby village of Al-Khader, three Palestinians were detained and stun grenades were fired during the raid. Since the start of the Gaza war on Oct. 8, 2023, violence in the West Bank has intensified. Palestinian sources report that more than 1,100 people have been killed, nearly 11,700 injured and around 22,000 detained in Israeli operations and settler attacks. International legal context In July 2024, the International Court of Justice issued an advisory opinion declaring Israel’s occupation of Palestinian territories unlawful and calling for the dismantling of settlements in the West Bank and East Jerusalem. The latest raids reflect ongoing security operations across the West Bank, as the broader conflict continues to shape conditions on the ground and draw international scrutiny.