Nablus: Israeli forces raided a Palestinian town south of Nablus in the northern West Bank, arresting several people and damaging property, a local official said Tuesday.

According to Anadolu Agency, Yaqub Oweis, head of the eastern Lubban local council, stated that Israeli troops entered the town around midnight, conducting searches in several homes and causing damage to some properties. Oweis noted that several young men were arrested, although he did not specify the exact number. The town, which houses approximately 4,200 Palestinians, has experienced frequent closures and increased restrictions by Israeli forces since the onset of the Gaza war in October 2023. Oweis further mentioned that illegal Israeli settlers have also entered the town, committing acts of vandalism.

Eastern Lubban is situated along the primary road connecting Ramallah and Nablus, with several Israeli settlements and outposts established on its land. Resident Asma al-Aboushi described the Israeli raid on her home, recounting how soldiers searched the premises and photographed the family to verify their identities. She mentioned that soldiers in the kitchen began eating from the family's suhoor, a pre-dawn meal, and left the house in disarray.

There was no immediate comment from the Israeli army regarding the raid. Witnesses also reported that Israeli forces raided the town of Silwad, east of Ramallah, deploying dozens of soldiers across its neighborhoods. The Israeli military frequently conducts raids and searches in Palestinian towns and homes throughout the occupied West Bank.

Palestinians assert that the army has intensified arrest raids since Ramadan began last week. On Sunday, the Palestinian Prisoner Society, a nongovernmental organization, reported that Israeli forces have arrested more than 100 Palestinians in the West Bank since the start of Ramadan. Currently, more than 9,300 Palestinians are held in Israeli prisons, including 66 women and 350 children, according to Palestinian data.

Violence has escalated in the West Bank since the Gaza war began in October 2023. Palestinian figures indicate that more than 1,116 Palestinians have been killed, about 11,500 wounded, and approximately 22,000 arrested.