Gaza: At dawn on April 18, 2025, Israeli forces launched coordinated raids in the occupied West Bank, detaining five Palestinians across two cities. Local media report that these pre‑dawn operations targeted residential and commercial areas in Nablus and Tulkarem, drawing criticism for their timing and tactics
In Nablus, troops surrounded several homes in the city’s northern districts and arrested two young men. Witnesses say soldiers forced their way into buildings, conducted rapid searches, and led the men away in military vehicles. The Palestine News Agency Wafa cited family members who described the operation as sudden and intimidating.
Meanwhile in Tulkarem, Israeli units used sound bombs and stun grenades to storm a cluster of shops near the town center. Drivers and shopkeepers say they were thrown to the ground amid the blasts, and at least three people were taken into custody. Several of the detainees suffered bruises and cuts when soldiers allegedly assaulted them during arrest. Wafa sources confirm that goods were strewn across shop floors as troops searched for suspects.
These raids come amid a broader surge in West Bank operations by Israeli forces, who say they are targeting militants and preventing attacks on settlers. Palestinians view such raids as collective punishment that exacerbates tensions, disrupts daily life, and fuels resentment. Human rights groups warn that frequent night‑time incursions violate international norms and put civilians at risk.
Since late 2023, the West Bank has seen a rise in both settler violence and military sweeps. Under the November ceasefire framework, Israel was to limit troop deployments and allow the Palestinian Authority greater security control, but many areas remain under direct army oversight. As arrests mount, concerns grow over the erosion of civil freedoms and the prospects for renewed violence in the occupied territories.
