Israeli forces wound three Palestinians, arrest four in West Bank raids

Israeli forces injured three Palestinians and arrested four others during separate incidents across the occupied West Bank on Friday, according to Palestinian medical sources and witnesses. The violence underscores the continued volatility in the territory, where Palestinian officials report over 1,000 deaths since last October.

Details of the Raids and Injuries

The Palestinian Red Crescent Society reported treating two individuals wounded by Israeli fire during a military raid on the Al-Jalazone refugee camp north of Ramallah. Witnesses described soldiers taking positions among residential buildings and employing live ammunition and tear gas. A third Palestinian was shot in the leg near the separation wall in the town of Al-Ram, northeast of Jerusalem.

Arrests Following Confrontation with Settlers

In a separate incident in the town of Beit Furik, east of Nablus, Israeli forces detained four Palestinians. The arrests occurred after the individuals confronted illegal Israeli settlers who had entered the Beit Furik plain and attempted to attack local farmers, highlighting the frequent tensions between settlers and Palestinian residents.

Broader Context of Occupation and Violence

These events are part of a wider pattern of intensified military operations and settler violence in the West Bank since October 2023. According to Palestinian figures, Israeli forces and settlers have killed at least 1,097 Palestinians, injured nearly 11,000, and detained around 21,000 in the occupied territory during this period. The ongoing situation exists despite a landmark International Court of Justice opinion last July that declared Israel's occupation illegal and called for the evacuation of all settlements.