Over 1,200 people have been arrested by Israeli forces in the occupied West Bank since the start of the Gaza-Israel war, WAFA news agency reported on 23 October, citing the Palestinian Prisoners’ Society (PPS).
“Israeli occupation forces detained since October 7 more than 1,215 people in raids at their homes across the occupied West Bank and East Jerusalem,” WAFA cited PPS as saying.
On the evening of 22 October alone, 120 Palestinians were arrested across the West Bank, according to WAFA.
In Hebron, 59 people were arrested, including 40 workers from the Gaza Strip. 27 were also detained in Ramallah’s Jalazone refugee camp.
Arrests were carried out across Jericho, Bethlehem, Jenin, Tulkarem, and Nablus.
There were about 5,200 Palestinians in Israeli prisons before 7 October, but that number has now risen to more than 10,000 people due to Israel’s detention campaign, Palestinian officials said last week.
Since Hamas’ launch of Operation Al-Aqsa Flood early this month, 95 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces and settlers in the occupied West Bank.
Two Palestinians were killed by Israeli gunfire on the morning of 23 October in Ramallah’s Jalazone camp.
Israeli forces raided the camp and were met with gunfire by resistance fighters. Palestinian youths also pelted the Israeli soldiers with stones, and the army ended up retreating towards the camp’s outskirts.
Resistance groups affiliated with Hamas and the Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) in the occupied West Bank have significantly increased their activity in solidarity with Gaza.
Clashes continue to erupt between resistance fighters and soldiers in several West Bank cities.
Widespread anger against the Palestinian Authority (PA) has also been escalating. Several anti-PA demonstrations have been held over the past few days, with many protestors calling for PA President Mahmoud Abbas to step down.
The PA has long been known to maintain deep security ties with Israel.
Following the brutal airstrike against the Al-Ahli Arab Hospital in Gaza on 17 October, which killed hundreds instantly, protestors in the West Bank took to the streets in solidarity with the people of Gaza and in rejection of the PA and its close relationship with Israel.
During protests in Jenin, a 12-year-old girl was shot and killed by PA security forces.
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