Israeli forces storm 17 schools in Hebron, harass staff and seize materials

Israeli forces raided several schools in the occupied West Bank city of Hebron on Thursday, harassing staff, confiscating equipment and taking down Palestinian flags.

The director of the Palestinian Education Directorate in Hebron, Atef Al-Jamal, said what happened was unprecedented in terms of its scope and the areas targeted.

He told The New Arab’s sister site Al-Araby Al-Jadeed that school buildings were stormed Thursday morning when only staff members were present, and that school principals were contacted by the military and informed of the raids.

He said the Israeli forces searched buildings and rooms, photographed student activity areas, stole photos and drawings of Palestinian prisoners, and confiscated textbooks and other items.

"We received immediate calls from the principals, and we communicated through the directorate with the Palestinian liaison, who informed us that the occupation had sent a list of 17 schools that would be raided," Al-Jamal told Al-Araby Al-Jadeed.

"This is worrying because of the possibility of it being repeated with the start of the school year on Sunday for teachers, and Monday for students."

CCTV footage from Al-Rashideen School in Hebron shared on social media showed the moment Israeli troops entered the school's premises.

The Education Directorate held a meeting with principals to evaluate what happened and asked them to inspect the school premises over fears that Israeli troops may have planted something.

Al-Jamal said what distinguished these attacks in particular were that they were the first to target schools located in the centre of Hebron, in the southern West Bank.

But the reasons behind the raids remain unclear, he said, and education officials have not been provided with any explanation.

The Palestinian education ministry condemned the raids, saying that they represented a flagrant violation of international laws and agreements protecting educational institutions.

The ministry called on human rights groups to intervene to try and put a stop to these violations and ensure the protection of schools and teaching staff.

Hebron is a divided city, with a large presence of Israeli settlers and Palestinians constantly under threat and faced with attacks.

Israeli army and settler attacks have intensified in the West Bank since the start of the Gaza war in 2023, but more so since the start of this year, with large-scale military operations killing hundreds and displacing tens of thousands.