In an overnight operation, Israeli forces carried out raids in the occupied West Bank, arresting hundreds of individuals and resulting in the deaths of two people in the Jalazone refugee camp near Ramallah. The operation, which took place on Monday, was confirmed by the Palestinian Ministry of Health.
Jalazone camp residents reported that Israeli forces conducted widespread arrests, leading to confrontations with gunmen and youths who threw stones. The Health Ministry stated that around 20 people were arrested during the raid.
As of now, Israeli forces have retreated to the outskirts of the camp, according to residents. The Israeli army has not issued an official statement regarding these incidents.
In a broader operation across the West Bank, about 120 individuals described as Palestinian militants were arrested overnight, including 59 in the city of Hebron. Among those arrested in Hebron were 40 workers from the Gaza Strip.
Calls for Humanitarian Pause and Investigation into War Crimes
European Union foreign policy chief Josep Borrell called for quicker aid deliveries to Gaza and suggested that the EU’s foreign ministers would debate the idea of a “humanitarian pause” in the conflict. Borrell emphasized the need to allow humanitarian support to reach the affected population in Gaza.
Norwegian Justice Minister Emilie Enger Mehl condemned attacks on civilians and expressed Norway’s readiness to provide resources for an investigation into possible war crimes in Gaza and Israel. Mehl emphasized the importance of holding those responsible for war crimes accountable and urged the international community to come together to protect fundamental principles in times of conflict.
Villagers Displaced in Lebanon
As cross-border fire continues between Hezbollah and Israel, approximately 19,646 people have been forced to leave villages in southern Lebanon. This escalation in tensions has raised concerns that Hezbollah aims to open a Lebanese front in support of Hamas. Israel has ordered the evacuation of residents from several communities near its northern border, although an exact figure for the displaced has not been provided.
UN General Assembly to Discuss Conflict
The United Nations General Assembly is scheduled to meet on Thursday to discuss the ongoing conflict triggered by the attack by Hamas militants on Israel. The meeting was requested by several states, including Jordan on behalf of an Arab group of nations, Russia, Syria, Bangladesh, Vietnam, and Cambodia. The UN Security Council had previously failed to agree on a resolution concerning the conflict, and last week, the General Assembly President announced the meeting in response to this request.
The Security Council’s failure to reach a consensus on a resolution has been a point of contention. The United States vetoed one resolution for not mentioning Israel’s right to self-defense, and a second resolution was vetoed because it did not name Hamas. The matter will be discussed in the Security Council on Tuesday, with the General Assembly’s gathering set for Thursday.
This situation continues to evolve, and the international community grapples with finding a solution to the conflict in the Middle East.