Israeli forces detain 37 Palestinians, injure one in West Bank Ramadan raids

2026-02-19 - 11:52

Israeli forces detained at least 37 Palestinians and injured one during a series of raids across the occupied West Bank on Thursday, the second day of Ramadan, local sources told Anadolu. The operations underscore intensified Israeli military activity during the Muslim holy month. Hebron Operations In the southern city of Hebron, troops stormed the town of Beit Ula, searching homes and commercial shops. Eyewitnesses reported soldiers opened fire, wounding a Palestinian man whose condition remains unknown. In the Jabal Jales area, the army carried out a separate operation, detaining 20 Palestinians and converting a residential building into a temporary military post. Residents described field interrogations, with social media footage showing blindfolded, bound detainees being escorted to interrogation sites. Qalqilya Raids Early Thursday, Israeli forces raided the city of Qalqilya, detaining 13 Palestinians after searching multiple homes. Military vehicles entered eastern Qalqilya, the New Askar refugee camp, and Al-Taawun Al-Awsat Street area, where homes were searched and property reportedly ransacked. The arrests bring the total detained during Thursday's raids to at least 37. Broader Context Israel has intensified West Bank operations, including East Jerusalem, since launching its Gaza military campaign on Oct. 8, 2023. Palestinians view the escalation—killings, arrests, displacement, and settlement expansion—as preparation for formal annexation. In July 2024, the International Court of Justice declared Israel's occupation illegal and called for evacuation of all West Bank and East Jerusalem settlements.