Israeli forces raided the Palestinian town of eastern Lubban, south of Nablus in the northern West Bank, on Tuesday, arresting several young men and damaging property, according to local officials.
Raids and Arrests in the West Bank
Yaqub Oweis, head of the eastern Lubban local council, reported that troops entered the town around midnight, searching homes and causing damage. The town, home to approximately 4,200 Palestinians, has experienced repeated closures and increased restrictions since the start of the war in Gaza in October 2023.
Resident Asma al-Aboushi described soldiers entering her home, searching it, and photographing residents for identification. She recounted an incident where soldiers, while eating, covered their faces with masks and observed the family’s reactions, and ultimately took the family’s suhoor, the pre-dawn meal during Ramadan.
The raids are not isolated to eastern Lubban. Witnesses also reported Israeli forces raiding the town of Silwad east of Ramallah, deploying dozens of soldiers across its neighborhoods.
Escalating Violence and Detentions
Israeli forces regularly conduct raids and searches in Palestinian towns and homes throughout the occupied West Bank. Since the beginning of the war in Gaza, violence in the West Bank has surged, resulting in more than 1,116 Palestinian deaths, approximately 11,500 injuries, and roughly 22,000 arrests, according to Palestinian figures.
As of Sunday, the Palestinian Prisoner Society reported that over 100 Palestinians had been arrested in the West Bank since Ramadan began. Currently, more than 9,300 Palestinians are held in Israeli prisons, including 66 women and 350 children.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened in eastern Lubban?
Israeli forces raided the town, arresting several young men, damaging property, and searching homes, according to Yaqub Oweis, head of the eastern Lubban local council.
Has there been increased military activity in the West Bank recently?
Palestinians report that the Israeli army has intensified arrest raids since the start of Ramadan last week.
How many Palestinians are currently detained by Israel?
According to Palestinian data, more than 9,300 Palestinians are currently held in Israeli prisons, including 66 women and 350 children.
As tensions remain high, will these raids continue to escalate, and what impact will they have on the daily lives of Palestinians in the West Bank?
