Israeli forces launch raids on West Bank cities, storm Al-Aqsa Mosque

Israeli forces killed a man in the West Bank city of Tulkarm and stormed the city of Jenin, while settlers stormed the Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem.

According to The New Arab’s Arabic language sister publication, Al-Araby Al-Jadeed, a young Palestinian man was killed after being run over by an Israeli army vehicle in the town of Anabta, east of Tulkarem.

The young man was identified as Karim Imad Mazid, with medics saying he died due to serious wounds sustained after the Israeli army jeep hit him while he was on a motorcycle in the town’s main street.

Israeli forces stormed the town from the Anab checkpoint in the east, patrolling the main streets and blocking vehicles from entering.

Late on Saturday evening, Israeli settlers also attacked the village of Jalud, south of Nablus, burning a home, a farm with livestock and several cars. East of Nablus, Israeli forces stormed the Balata camp.

Local sources told Al-Araby Al-Jadeed that one house was completely burned down, with attempts made to do the same to another. A third home was completely vandalised.

Around 30 Palestinians have been arrested by Israeli forces over the last two days, including prisoners who were recently released, a statement from the Palestinian Prisoners’ Affairs Authority and the Palestinian Prisoners’ Club said.

The arrests were mainly carried out in Hebron, Nablus, Ramallah, Jenin, Jericho, Jerusalem and Salfit. 

Near Ramallah, settlers attacked Palestinians picking olives from their land ,forcing them to leave.

In Jerusalem on Sunday hundreds of settlers, led by extremist national security minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, stormed the courtyards of the Al-Aqsa Mosque, Islam's third most holy site, under the protection of armed Israeli police and security forces.

There has been an uptick in violence against Palestinians in the West Bank since the start of Israel’s war on Gaza in October 2023, with raids and assaults becoming more frequent.

The Palestinian Ministry of Health said that Israeli forces and settlers have killed at least 759 Palestinians since October 2023, with 165 of them being children and 18 being women. The ministry added they have recorded an additional 6,500 others being wounded in attacks.

Around 11,200 Palestinians have also been detained

Israel’s bombardment on the Gaza Strip has killed at least 42,519 Palestinians and wounded at least 99,637 others.