Israel forms civilian militias by arming settlers in the West Bank
The West Bank has witnessed an escalation in tension with the Israeli army's announcement of distributing weapons to settlers to 'enhance defense systems,' which threatens to widen the scope of confrontations with Palestinians
Increased violence in the West Bank has resulted in dozens of casualties among Palestinians, in addition to intensified arrests, risking an escalation of the situation after more than a year of ongoing deteriorating conditions. Israel declared war on Hamas and carried out airstrikes on Gaza following the attack by Hamas on Saturday. Meanwhile, civilian militias have been formed by arming hundreds of settlers, allowing them to commit further crimes under the pretext of self-defense.
The Palestinian Ministry of Health reported that a Palestinian and his son were killed on Thursday by settlers’ gunfire in the West Bank during the funeral procession of Palestinians killed by armed settlers and Israeli soldiers on Wednesday in the village of Qusra, near the city of Nablus in northern West Bank. The reports also stated that the father, Wadi, is a leader in the ruling Fatah movement in the West Bank.
With this, the death toll in confrontations between Palestinians and the Israeli army in various parts of the West Bank has risen to 31 Palestinian casualties since last Saturday, according to the Ministry of Health in Ramallah. It noted that these casualties fell “by the army and the settlers.”
The Israeli army announced the distribution of thousands of weapons to those with licenses to possess them “to enhance defense systems” throughout the country. It stated its readiness to escalate the situation in the West Bank, with its forces on high alert, carrying out arrests and thwarting possible attacks.
Admiral Daniel Hagari, spokesman for the Israeli army, stated earlier this week, “Anyone who challenges us in Judea and Samaria will be met with severe force,” using the Jewish name for the West Bank mentioned in the Torah.
As of Wednesday, military checkpoints remained closed, and roads were blocked in several parts of the West Bank, hindering movement.
The Israeli army raided multiple areas in the West Bank on Thursday, arresting several Palestinians, including members of Hamas. They entered the city of Jenin through several entrances, during which 34 Palestinians were arrested in various parts of the West Bank before their withdrawal.
The Palestinian Prisoners Club stated that the extensive arrest campaign in the West Bank targeted at least 55 citizens, distributed across the provinces of Hebron, Bethlehem, Jenin, Tulkarm, Nablus, Jericho, Ramallah, Qalqilya, and Jerusalem. The club added that some of the detainees were former prisoners who had experienced arrest, and among them were those who had spent years in Israeli prisons. They described these campaigns as “very dangerous developments,” particularly given the recent wave of Palestinian prisoner abuse during the “Storm Al-Aqsa” operation.
These developments come after a surprise attack by Hamas on Israel early last Saturday, which Israel responded to with intensive aerial and artillery shelling on Gaza, imposing a strict blockade on the region.
The Israeli army announced an increase in the death toll from the operation to 1,300 in Israel, most of whom are civilians, with over 2,700 injured.
Palestinians seek to establish their independent state in the West Bank, East Jerusalem, and Gaza. However, this possibility seems more distant than ever due to the expansion of Israeli settlements on Palestinian territories, the separation of local communities, and the halt of negotiations facilitated by the United States.
Human rights organizations claim that Israeli authorities have systematically oppressed Palestinians for decades, implementing policies that amount to apartheid, and imposing a strict blockade on Gaza by air, land, and sea since 2007, affecting the residents of Gaza severely.
Fatah, a rival to Hamas, leads the Palestinian Authority, which holds limited authority in parts of the West Bank. Hamas had expelled Fatah from Gaza after a brief civil war in 2006-2007. However, leaders of the Palestinian Authority expressed solidarity with Gaza during its conflict with Israel.”
