Israeli helicopters fire in West Bank amid Tubas siege, Qabatiya curfew

Israeli military forces have intensified operations in the occupied West Bank, using attack helicopters to fire on locations in the northern governorates and imposing severe movement restrictions on Palestinian towns. On Tuesday, Apache helicopters conducted strikes in areas near the city of Tubas and the town of Qabatiya, south of Jenin. Concurrently, the Israeli army announced a full curfew in Qabatiya, effective "until further notice," sealing the town's entrances and severely limiting civilian movement.

A Broadening Military Siege

The aerial attacks coincide with a large-scale ground operation. Since last week, the Israeli army has laid siege to the entire Tubas governorate, using bulldozers to block every major access road with earth mounds. Tubas Governor Ahmed Asaad stated that the assault, which involves house-to-house raids and the seizure of buildings, marks the first time the entire governorate has been targeted. He contends the operation is politically motivated, aiming to impose "new realities" due to the area's strategic location near the Jordan Valley, rather than being solely a security measure.

Humanitarian Impact and Palestinian Response

The military escalation has created a severe humanitarian crisis. Local authorities have suspended schools and public services, while emergency medical teams face obstructions in reaching the injured. The Palestinian Red Crescent reported treating multiple casualties, including two children shot in Jenin. Palestinian factions, including Hamas, have condemned the operations as part of a systematic policy of "ethnic cleansing" and annexation intended to displace Palestinian communities and fragment the West Bank. These developments occur against a backdrop of surging violence; according to Palestinian figures, over 1,000 Palestinians have been killed in the West Bank since late 2023, with more than 20,000 arrested.

Regional Context and International Law

This offensive extends a pattern of heightened violence across the West Bank that has persisted despite a fragile ceasefire in Gaza. The operations in Tubas and Qabatiya are part of what the United Nations describes as the territory's "worst displacement crisis in decades," fueled by military raids and settler violence. The International Court of Justice (ICJ) has previously issued a landmark opinion, declaring Israel's occupation of Palestinian territory illegal and calling for the evacuation of settlements. Türkiye, consistent with its long-standing diplomatic stance, continues to advocate for Palestinian rights and a just two-state solution based on pre-1967 borders, viewing stability in the region as critical to its own security and foreign policy interests.