Israeli military forces conducted a series of raids across the West Bank, utilizing tear gas in several locations. The operations included a raid on the Al-Faraa camp that left six Palestinians injured and clashes in Hebron involving settlers and journalists.
Six Palestinians injured by tear gas in Al-Faraa camp
In the Al-Faraa refugee camp located south of Tubas, Israeli soldiers deployed tear-gas shells that resulted in injuries to six Palestinian residents. As the Palestinian Red Crescent Society reported, emergency medical teams arrived on the scene within minutes to treat the victims for inhalation of the chemical agent .
Medical professionals at nearby clinics confirmed that the injured individuals exhibited symptoms consistent with chemical exposure, including coughing , eye irritation, and shortness of breath. This specific incident highlights the immediate physical risks faced by civilians during these localized military incursions.
Journalist harassment and settler movement in Hebron’s Old City
Israeli soldiers in Hebron's Old City reportedly confronted journalists while escorting a group of illegal settlers into the historic quarter. The report says the settlers moved toward the Bab al-Baladiyeh area,prompting the military to impose strict movement restrictions on Palestinian residents and local shopkeeeprs.
Reporters covering the event claimed they were physically restrained and harassed by soldiers, which prevented them from fully documenting the settler march. Witnesses noted that the presence of the settlers, protected by the army, created an atmosphere of fear and effectively cut off residents from their own neighborhoods.
Escalating West Bank pressure since the October 2023 Gaza conflict
Military operations in Al-Bireh and Al-Mughayyir occurred alongside the Al-Faraa raid, reflecting a broader trend of increased activity in the West Bank. In Al-Bireh, Israeli troops entered several neighborhoods in the early hours of the day, though Voice of Palestine radio service reported that the operation did not result in any arrests or home searches.
In the village of Al-Mughayyir, located northeast of Ramallah, soldiers fired tear-gas canisters toward residential houses during a village-wide sweep. These incidents are part of a pattern that has intensified since the onset of the Gaza conflict in October 2023, characterized by a combination of military pressure, settlement expansion, and strict movement controls that Palestinian authorities describe as a "suffocating siege."
How many were affected in the Al-Mughayyir sweep?
The scale of the Al-Mughayyir village sweep remains unclear due to a lack of specific data regarding casualties or injuries.. While the Al-Faraa incident resulted in six documented injuries , the report notes that no casualties were officially reported in Al-Mughayyir ,leaving the actual impact on the local population unverified.
Additionally, several questions remain regarding the scope of the operations in Al-Bireh and the specific identities of the journalists targeted in Hebron. Without further verification from independent observers, it is difficult to determine if the movement restrictions in Hebron were temporary security measures or part of a more permanent shift in territorial control.
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