Israeli forces impose curfew in Qalqilya amid expanded West Bank raids

Israeli military forces expanded their campaign in the northern West Bank on Thursday, imposing a stringent curfew and movement restrictions on the Kafr Saba neighborhood within the city of Qalqilya. Witnesses reported to Anadolu that troops raided Qalqilya at dawn, conducted widespread home searches, and interrogated residents, significantly heightening local tensions.

Withdrawal from Masliya and Continued Qabatiya Operations

In a parallel development, the Israeli army withdrew from the town of Masliya, south of Jenin, after conducting hours-long raids and enforcing a curfew, leaving visible damage in the area. Meanwhile, operations entered their third day in the nearby town of Qabatiya, where forces maintained tight restrictions and carried out repeated incursions into Palestinian homes.

Background of the Escalating Campaign

This recent surge is part of a broader military escalation that began last week across northern West Bank towns, including initial operations in Tubas and Tammun before expanding to Qabatiya and Masliya. The campaign's hallmarks have included curfews, home raids, mass detentions, and damage to civilian infrastructure. These actions contribute to a grave toll; since October 2023, attacks by the Israeli army and settlers in the occupied territory have resulted in more than 1,087 Palestinian fatalities, over 10,700 injuries, and the arrest of more than 20,500 individuals.

International Court of Justice Ruling

The intensified operations occur within a territory subject to a landmark international legal opinion. In July of last year, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) declared Israel's occupation of Palestinian territories illegal and called for the evacuation of all Israeli settlements in the West Bank and East Jerusalem, providing a critical legal framework for assessing the ongoing situation.