Israeli forces seize homes, impose curfew in West Bank town of Qabatiya

Israeli Forces Conduct Mass Arrests and Displacement in West Bank Town

A military operation ordered by Israel’s Defense Minister has resulted in mass arrests and forced displacement of dozens of families in the town of Qabatiya in the occupied West Bank. The operation, which began on Saturday, saw Israeli forces seal off entrances to the town and round up dozens of residents for interrogation.

According to local sources, several homes were converted into military interrogation centers, displacing their occupants. The Palestinian Wafa news agency reported that the town is subject to a full curfew. Israel’s Army Radio stated that the operation aimed to “scan additional locations in the village” and “locate weapons”.

The crackdown follows an order by Defense Minister Israel Katz to take action against Qabatiya, where a Palestinian suspect alleged of carrying out a stabbing and car-ramming attack in northern Israel is from. The Israeli military claimed its forces would work to arrest wanted individuals.

Rights groups have condemned Israel’s practice of demolishing the family homes of Palestinians accused of attacks against Israelis. The Israeli military stated that it was taking measures to address security concerns in the area.

The operation extended beyond Qabatiya, with reports of Israeli forces assaulting and arresting people from several villages surrounding Ramallah and Hebron. As part of a broader trend, Israeli military incursions and attacks across the occupied West Bank have been ongoing since October 7, 2023.

Source: Al Jazeera