Israeli forces arrest 32 Palestinians in West Bank raids, including former lawmaker

Israeli forces detained 32 Palestinians during military raids across towns in the occupied West Bank, including East Jerusalem, on Thursday, a Palestinian prisoners’ advocacy group reported. Among those arrested were former Palestinian Legislative Council member Hatem Qafisha from the Hebron governorate, a child, and several previously released prisoners, according to the Prisoners’ Media Office.

The group stated that the raids involved home searches and damage to personal property during incursions into multiple areas. It described the escalation in arrests—particularly targeting children, former prisoners, and elected officials—as reflecting “the continued use of detention as a tool of repression and collective punishment.”

Background of Escalation

Israel has intensified military operations in the West Bank since launching its war on Gaza in October 2023. According to Palestinian estimates, more than 1,112 Palestinians have been killed, about 11,500 wounded, and over 21,000 detained in the West Bank during this period. Palestinians warn that the increased arrests, killings, displacement, and settlement expansion aim to pave the way for Israel’s formal annexation of the occupied territory.