HEBRON — Israeli forces continued their siege of Hebron in the southern occupied West Bank for a second consecutive day Saturday, forcing dozens of Palestinians from their homes, closing major roads and conducting widespread raids and arrests, according to Palestinian media.
The official Palestinian news agency Wafa reported that Israeli troops raided the Al-Jilda and Deir Bahha neighborhoods in central Hebron, placing both areas under a complete siege.
Israeli soldiers forced dozens of residents to leave their homes and stand outdoors during the early morning hours, the agency said.
The military operation involved additional armored vehicles and bulldozers, with Israeli forces closing the city’s main entrances and access roads, effectively isolating Hebron from surrounding areas.
According to Wafa, Israeli troops also stormed and searched residential buildings, detained dozens of Palestinians and subjected them to field interrogations before releasing them Saturday morning.
Separately, Israeli forces arrested 19 Palestinians during raids across the occupied West Bank.
The arrests included two Palestinians from the Hindaza area and Al-Azza refugee camp in Bethlehem governorate, 16 from Nablus governorate and one young man from Aqabat Jabr refugee camp in Jericho.
The military operations followed a shooting incident Friday in which the Israeli army said two Palestinians were killed during an exchange of fire with Israeli forces.
The army alleged that the two Palestinians had opened fire at Israeli settlers in Hebron, wounding five people.
Following the incident, Israeli forces announced a complete closure of Hebron and several surrounding towns.
The occupied West Bank, including East Jerusalem, has witnessed escalating Israeli military operations and settler violence since the outbreak of the Gaza war in October 2023.
The violence has included the killing and detention of Palestinians, the demolition of homes and other structures, attacks on mosques and vehicles, and the destruction of agricultural land.
Palestinian communities have also faced increasing restrictions on access to farmland, forced displacement and continued Israeli settlement expansion.
Source: Saudi Gazette