Israeli forces step up West Bank raids, arrest Palestinians and demolish buildings

BASRA, Iraq — Israeli forces carried out operations across the West Bank on Monday, carrying out arrests, searching homes and erecting military checkpoints, according to Palestinian reports. In Nablus, troops raided the Balata refugee camp and surrounding residential areas, detaining eight Palestinians. In the Hebron area, forces entered the towns of Beit Amr, Idna, Dura and Yatta, searched vehicles and homes, questioned residents near the sites and closed roads with iron gates, concrete blocks and earthen barriers. In the same area, livestock grazing by settlers escorted by Israeli forces damaged olive groves and farmland near the village of Halhul. In Jenin, a three-story house in the Araba station area was demolished with the support of three bulldozers and armored units. Raids also took place in Tuqu and Jinatta in Bethlehem, where homes were searched and residents' IDs were checked in Tuqu. The operations followed directives from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to launch a broad security campaign in the West Bank and cancel troop leave, according to Israeli media. Army Radio said the military was sending additional reinforcements to the area ahead of Jewish holidays. Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich called for the annexation of the West Bank by Israel. No further details on casualties or the duration of the operations were immediately available.