Israeli Occupation Arrests 20 Palestinians, Demolishes Shops and Structures in the West Bank

The Israeli occupation army carried out a wide-ranging campaign today, Tuesday, in several areas of the occupied West Bank, leading to the arrest of about 20 Palestinians, the destruction of a commercial vehicle repair shop, and the demolition of residential structures.

Details of Arrests and Invasions

• Total Arrests: Palestinian sources and the Prisoners' Information Center (non-governmental) reported the arrest of at least 20 Palestinians during early Tuesday morning raids and subsequent operations.

• Tamoun and Tubas: An Israeli special force arrested 4 Palestinians after besieging homes in Tamoun town, south of Tubas. This force infiltrated the town using vehicles with Palestinian license plates before receiving military reinforcements.

• Other Areas: The Prisoners' Information Center reported that the arrest campaign targeted at least 16 Palestinians in Nablus, Qalqilya, Tulkarm (north), Ramallah (center), and Hebron (south), including former prisoners.

Demolitions and Destruction of Property

• Destruction in Dura: The Israeli army destroyed the contents of a commercial vehicle repair shop in Dura town, southern West Bank, under the pretext of lacking official documentation. Videos showed significant destruction of spare parts and dismantled vehicles inside the shop.

• Demolitions in Jericho and Ramallah: Israel also demolished two homes and other Palestinian structures in the Ramallah and Jericho governorates, claiming building without a permit. An Israeli force invaded the airport neighborhood in Jericho and demolished two homes and retaining walls.

Context of Escalation and Statistics

• Concurrent with Gaza War: These operations occur alongside ongoing Israeli escalation in the West Bank. Since the start of the Israeli aggression in October 2023, attacks by the army and settlers in the West Bank and Jerusalem have resulted in the martyrdom of 1,065 Palestinians and the injury of nearly 10,000 others.

• Gaza Toll: The war of extermination in Gaza (since October 2023) has resulted in 68,865 Palestinian martyrs and 170,664 injured, mostly children and women, despite the ceasefire which Israel has repeatedly violated.