Israeli Land Seizure, Settlers’ Arson Attacks Heighten West Bank Strife

Israeli forces have seized privately owned Palestinian land in Al-Khalil, in the occupied West Bank, under the pretext of "appropriation orders", according to Palestinian Wafa news agency.

Head of the Colonization and Wall Resistance Commission, Minister Muayad Shaaban, conveyed to Wafa that these orders aim to expand Route 60 in the city for Israeli settlers.

He slammed Israel's use of infrastructure rehabilitation and road development as a means to suppress Palestinian presence and isolate communities, deeming it a grave violation of international humanitarian law.

In a separate incident, Israeli settlers set fire to agricultural lands in the village of Barqa, east of Ramallah in the occupied West Bank, as reported by an Al Jazeera.

Palestinian Wafa news agency documented a march near the Rawabi roundabout north of Ramallah, where dozens of Israeli settlers from the illegal Atarot settlement brandished Israeli flags.

Israeli forces subsequently established a military checkpoint near the roundabout, restricting Palestinian vehicular movement.

Moreover, tensions escalated following the killing of three young Palestinians in Jenin, prompting numerous raids by Israeli troops and military vehicles across the occupied West Bank, as detailed by the Palestinian news agency Wafa.

Thousands gathered for the funeral procession of the youths, aged 17 to 24, who were reportedly killed by Israeli forces. Areas subjected to raids include Hebron City's Abu Sneina neighborhood, al-Ein refugee camp in Nablus, and towns south of Jenin.

Confrontations between local Palestinians and Israeli troops ensued, with reports of stun grenades and noxious gas deployed.

Additionally, Israeli soldiers raided homes in various communities, including Husan village west of Bethlehem and Khallet al-Farra village south of Al-Khalil, resulting in property damage and the displacement of residents.

These incidents add to the ongoing tensions in the region, with at least 531 Palestinians killed and over 5,200 wounded in Israeli army and settler attacks across the West Bank since October 7.