RAMALLAH: Israeli forces arrested dozens of Palestinians in the occupied West Bank on Saturday during a large-scale military operation launched after a shooting that killed four Palestinians and two Israeli soldiers.
Israeli forces raided around 70 homes in the village of Tal, southwest of Nablus, and detained nearly 50 Palestinians, according to Palestinian sources. The arrests came after Israeli authorities announced an expanded security operation following Friday’s deadly incident near the Havat Gilad settlement.
The Israeli military said the operation was aimed at locating suspects involved in the shooting and preventing further attacks.
Why Did Israel Launch a Military Operation in the West Bank?
The crackdown followed a shooting near the illegal Havat Gilad settlement in which two Israeli soldiers were killed and three others were wounded.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defence Minister Israel Katz ordered a “wide-scale military operation” in Palestinian communities across the West Bank following the attack.
Israeli forces carried out raids in several areas, including Jenin, Tubas, Jericho, Qalqilya, Ramallah and surrounding refugee camps.
Palestinian officials said the operations included house searches, troop deployments and arrests across multiple towns and villages.
The latest escalation has increased tensions in the West Bank, where violence has intensified since the outbreak of the Gaza war in 2023.
How Have Settler Attacks Increased Tensions in the West Bank?
Palestinian officials and residents accused Israeli settlers of carrying out attacks against Palestinian communities following the shooting.
Witnesses said settlers attacked villages in the Nablus area, setting fire to Palestinian homes and property.
The Palestinian Health Ministry said at least 87 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces and settlers in the West Bank since the start of the year, including 21 killed in settler-related incidents.
Palestinian rights groups have accused Israeli authorities of failing to prevent settler violence, while Israeli officials have said security operations are necessary to address threats against Israeli citizens and soldiers.
What Happened in the Village of Tal?
The shooting in Tal was the deadliest incident in the area in months, with Israeli and Palestinian accounts differing over the circumstances.
Videos circulating online showed armed settlers confronting Palestinians. Another video appeared to show a Palestinian man taking a weapon from a settler before shooting him, after which Israeli soldiers opened fire.
Three additional Palestinians were also killed during the incident.
Residents said Israeli authorities restricted access to funerals for the four Palestinians killed in Tal, allowing only limited attendance and forcing ceremonies to take place at night.
What Are International Groups Saying About the Escalation?
UN Special Rapporteur on the occupied Palestinian territories Francesca Albanese condemned the violence and called for international measures against Israel, including an arms embargo.
Human Rights Watch also urged Israeli authorities to take action against settler attacks and prevent further escalation.
Sarah Sanbar, acting Israel and Palestine researcher at Human Rights Watch, said continued violence and lack of accountability had increased instability in the West Bank.
Rights groups have warned that rising settler attacks, military raids and arrests could further destabilize the occupied territory.
The latest developments come as violence continues across the region, with the West Bank facing increased military operations and growing tensions linked to the broader Israel-Palestine conflict.