Israeli forces carried out a series of pre-dawn raids across the occupied West Bank on Monday, detaining seven Palestinians from multiple cities and towns, according to the Palestinian Prisoners’ Media Office (ASRA). The operations reflect the ongoing pattern of mass arrests and raids that have intensified since the war on Gaza began nearly a year ago.
ASRA reported that two individuals were arrested in Qalqilya city, while another was taken into custody near Tulkarem. One Palestinian was detained in el-Bireh city, with two more arrests confirmed in Jenin. In Beit Ummar, a town near Hebron, Israeli forces also apprehended one person during the early morning hours. Local sources noted that the raids were accompanied by heavy military presence, home searches, and road closures that disrupted daily life for residents.
The arrests come against the backdrop of an escalating crackdown across the West Bank, where raids, violence, and detentions have become almost daily occurrences. Palestinian rights groups and humanitarian organisations warn that the situation is deteriorating, with thousands of families affected by sudden night raids, property destruction, and arbitrary detentions.
Data from ASRA shows that as of September 1, more than 11,000 Palestinians are currently imprisoned in Israel. Of these, 3,577 are being held under “administrative detention,” a controversial practice that allows authorities to detain individuals indefinitely without charge or trial. Rights groups say the use of administrative detention has surged dramatically during the conflict.
The human toll within Israeli prisons is also alarming. At least 77 Palestinians have died in detention due to alleged torture, medical neglect, and mistreatment, according to Palestinian monitoring groups. Among them, 46 were detainees from Gaza, raising serious concerns over the treatment of prisoners and Israel’s compliance with international humanitarian law.
Observers warn that the cycle of arrests and raids risks further inflaming tensions in the West Bank, where protests and clashes have been mounting in solidarity with Gaza. The continued targeting of Palestinian towns and cities underscores the growing pressure on communities already grappling with economic hardship, restrictions on movement, and settler violence.
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