Ramallah: The Israeli army arrested 14 Palestinians on Friday during raids that included home searches across multiple areas of the occupied West Bank, on the third day of Ramadan in Palestine. The arrests were concentrated in the northern governorates of Jenin, Tulkarem, and Salfit, where Israeli forces detained 13 residents after raiding and searching their homes, the Palestinian Prisoners’ Media Office reported.
According to Anadolu Agency, one young man turned himself in under pressure, as stated in the media office’s release. The office highlighted that daily arrest campaigns continue in cities and towns across the West Bank during Ramadan, amid an ongoing escalation targeting young men and students. Amjad al-Najjar, director general of the Palestinian Prisoner Society, noted a noticeable increase in Israeli arrests in the West Bank since the start of Ramadan.
Palestinian data indicates that more than 9,300 Palestinian prisoners are currently held in Israeli prisons, including 350 children and 56 women. These detainees face harsh conditions, including torture, starvation, and medical neglect, which have resulted in the deaths of dozens. Since the war on Gaza began on Oct. 8, 2023, Israel has intensified its operations in the West Bank, including occupied East Jerusalem, involving both the army and illegal settlers.
These intensified actions encompass killings, arrests, demolitions, displacement, and settlement expansion. Palestinians warn that such measures could pave the way for Israel to formally annex the West Bank, potentially undermining the possibility of establishing a Palestinian state as outlined in United Nations resolutions.
Israeli operations in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, since October 2023 have resulted in the deaths of more than 1,115 Palestinians, injuries to about 11,500, and nearly 22,000 arrests. Over the past two years, the war in Gaza has claimed the lives of more than 72,000 Palestinians and wounded over 171,000, most of whom are women and children. Additionally, approximately 90% of civilian infrastructure has been damaged, according to Palestinian sources.