Israeli occupation forces have ramped up their military presence in the West Bank, closing entrances to occupied Jerusalem with concrete barriers, while continuing a wave of arrests across the region.
The move comes amid growing concerns over escalating violence and security threats in both the West Bank and Gaza.
In an official statement, the Israeli military announced the reinforcement of combat battalions in the West Bank’s central command.
This decision aims to bolster the army’s preparedness for various scenarios in the volatile region.
For the first time since the Second Intifada in 2000, the Israeli army has deployed armored personnel carriers in the West Bank, signaling heightened concern over potential attacks on Israeli settlements.
Israeli officials fear that Palestinian resistance groups in the West Bank may launch attacks mirroring Hamas’ surprise offensive on Israeli military bases near Gaza earlier this month.
The West Bank is home to nearly half a million Israeli settlers spread across 176 settlements and 186 outposts, built on occupied Palestinian land, further fueling tensions in the region.
Israeli forces launched raids in multiple Palestinian towns and cities on Saturday, arresting numerous individuals.
The raids targeted neighborhoods in Silwan and Anata in Jerusalem, as well as towns in the Qalqilya and Ramallah areas.
Israeli forces also detained dozens of Palestinians near the Tarqumiyah checkpoint, west of Hebron.
In Nablus, Israeli troops detained 20 international solidarity activists in the town of Qusra, confiscating their personal documents and phones.
The activists were interrogated for two hours before being released. According to local sources, the activists were questioned about their presence in the area and their activities supporting Palestinian communities.
