Hizma: Israeli forces raided homes and detained Palestinians on Thursday in the town of Hizma, northeast of occupied East Jerusalem in the West Bank, as the military continued a tight siege now entering its third day. Hizma Mayor Novan Salah al-Din reported the ongoing closure, which was briefly lifted at about 5 pm local time Wednesday before being reinstated two hours later.

According to Anadolu Agency, the mayor indicated that Israeli troops conducted overnight raids on numerous homes, converting some into temporary military posts. This action caused distress among residents and resulted in property damage. Several young men were detained and interrogated on the spot, he noted.

A significant number of Israeli troops remain stationed throughout Hizma, a town with approximately 12,000 residents. The siege, imposed on Tuesday, was accompanied by leaflets distributed by Israeli forces, declaring the area a ‘closed military zone’ and restricting residents from leaving indefinitely.

The developments in Hizma occur amid escalating tensions around occupied East Jerusalem, where Israeli forces have intensified military operations in nearby areas. Since Monday, a military operation dubbed ‘Operation Capital Shield’ has been underway in Kafr Aqab, north of occupied East Jerusalem. Israeli police and army units claim the initiative seeks to reinforce control in the seam zone and improve public security.

Palestinian figures indicate that since October 2023, Israeli forces and illegal settlers have killed at least 1,109 Palestinians in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, and injured nearly 11,000 others. In July 2024, the International Court of Justice declared Israel’s occupation of Palestinian territory illegal, calling for the evacuation of all settlements in the West Bank and East Jerusalem.