URGENT UPDATE: Israeli occupation forces have launched a series of raids across Bethlehem and Nablus, detaining multiple Palestinians in the early hours of July 15, 2023. Security sources reported that the operations began before dawn, with troops sweeping through various neighborhoods in the occupied West Bank.
In Bethlehem, Israeli soldiers stormed the al-Fawa’ra area, arresting brothers Muhammad and Mahmoud Ahmed al-Balboul. They also detained Manna’ al-Radi from al-Saf Street, seized Abdullah and Hussein Awad Ubayyat in Hindaza, and took Ahmed Asaad Faraj from the Aida refugee camp. These searches involved breaking into homes and conducting thorough searches.
The Israeli forces further intensified their operations by entering the Aida and Dheisheh camps, although no additional arrests have been reported from these locations.
Meanwhile, in Nablus, the situation escalated as Israeli forces executed fresh raids across the city and its surrounding villages. Local and security sources revealed that troops entered homes and demanded residents to hand over CCTV footage. The army particularly targeted the village of Awarta, raiding a house and a shop, and confiscating camera recordings. Operations also took place in Qaryut and al-Badhan, with several homes undergoing searches.
At dawn, soldiers swept through multiple areas in Nablus, including al-Ain refugee camp, Rafidia, Beit Wazan, and al-Basatin, conducting extensive searches. As of now, no arrests have been confirmed from the Nablus raids.
These developments highlight the ongoing tensions in the region and the increasingly aggressive tactics employed by Israeli forces against Palestinian residents. The situation remains fluid, with further updates expected as authorities assess the impact of these operations.
WHAT TO WATCH FOR: As the day progresses, more information may emerge regarding the conditions of those detained and the broader implications of these raids on the Palestinian communities in the West Bank. The international community continues to monitor the situation closely, raising questions about human rights and military conduct in the region.
