Israeli forces impose West Bank restrictions for second day amid intensifying raids

Israeli forces have enforced a strict lockdown for the second consecutive day across the occupied West Bank, sealing off towns and villages with military checkpoints and iron gates as military raids intensified in several areas. 

According to Palestinian media, checkpoints and roadblocks remain in place, severely restricting Palestinian movement since their implementation on Friday, following Israel’s attacks on Iran. 

The Palestinian news agency Wafa said that Israeli forces have intensified their presence in West Bank cities such as Ramallah and Al-Bireh, setting up military checkpoints at all major entry and exit points.  

Wafa reported that key junctions - including Rawabi, Ein Siniya, and Atara - saw the re-establishment of checkpoints, while access routes near Jerusalem, such as Jaba’ and Karamelo, and Taybeh, were sealed off, effectively isolating the governorate. 

In Jericho, Wafa also reported that Israeli troops continued to restrict access to and from the city through all primary and secondary checkpoints surrounding it. 

Meanwhile in Nablus, the Israeli army reportedly established additional checkpoints around the city, with near-complete closures imposed at Deir Sharaf and the eastern gate of Beit Furik.  

The city's southern checkpoints at Yatma, Aqraba, and Zaatara were also reported to be subjected to heavy restrictions. 

Other key checkpoints and roadblocks were imposed across various West Bank towns and cities, such the Jordan Valley’s Tubas Governorate, Salfit and Qalqilya. 

Local Palestinian reports also indicated that Israeli troops fired live ammunition at anyone attempting to approach the checkpoints on foot. 

The newest crackdown comes amid Israel’s ongoing military campaign in the occupied Palestinian territory, which intensified on Saturday amid its broader offensive on Gaza.  

According to Al Jazeera Arabic, widespread raids and arrests were carried out, with at least two Palestinians injured by live fire. 

The Palestinian Red Crescent reported treating a young man with a hand injury during a raid in Qabatiya, south of Jenin. 

In Tulkarm refugee camp, AJA also reported that a 16-year-old boy was shot in the leg as Israeli forces continued their presence in the city for the 139th consecutive day. 

Palestinian media also said Israeli troops were deployed to Qabatiya following the infiltration of special forces, who arrested several youths. 

 In Qalqilya, Israeli troops reportedly detained a resident named as Akef Nazzal after raiding and ransacking his home and also arrested the father of Palestinian prisoner Samah Hijjawi. 

Israeli attacks have surged across the West Bank since the launch of Israel’s brutal offensive on the Gaza Strip on 7 October 2023. 

According to Palestinian authorities, at least 938 Palestinians, many of them civilians, have been killed in the West Bank by Israeli forces or settlers since October 2023.