West Bank sees new surge of 'Israeli' raids, settler violence

• West Bank sees major overnight escalation with multiple raids, arrests, explosions, and road closures carried out by 'Israeli' forces and settlers.
• Settler attacks intensify near Jerusalem, including assaults on Bedouin communities and increased military checkpoints causing disruption in several areas.

Several areas across the occupied West Bank witnessed a broad escalation early Monday as 'Israeli' forces and settlers carried out a series of operations including a large explosion, arrests, road closures, military checkpoints, and overnight assaults on Bedouin communities.

In Tulkarm, 'Israeli' forces detonated an ancient cave dating back to before 1967. The cave is located in a garden surrounded by homes belonging to the Khuraysha family in the Jabal al Sayyid area of the Thannaba suburb east of the city.

A massive explosion echoed across the city and its refugee camps, shattering windows, damaging doors and rooftops, and causing trees to shed their leaves due to the blast. No injuries were reported.

Ibrahim Khuraysha said that 'Israeli' troops stormed his home and the homes of his brothers Omar and Mohammed around midnight, detaining the families for more than three hours before forcing them out. He said the troops told them a detonation would be carried out in the garden and that residents could return after hearing the explosion.

Raids, checkpoints, and road closures

Also east of Tulkarm, 'Israeli' forces arrested former detainee Mohammad Naji Subha after raiding his home in the southern hill of the town of Anabta. Subha had been released only a month ago following two years of administrative detention.

In Jerusalem, 'Israeli' forces set up new military checkpoints in Sheikh Jarrah and Silwan. Local sources reported that troops erected a checkpoint in the Rabadah area of Silwan, detaining two young men and searching multiple vehicles. Another checkpoint in Sheikh Jarrah caused significant delays for residents as vehicles were inspected and movement was disrupted.

In Bethlehem, 'Israeli' forces closed the western Tekoa roundabout and the main entrance to Marah Rabah, blocking vehicular movement and creating heavy traffic congestion, according to security sources.

At dawn, settlers attacked the Bedouin community of al Tibneh near Khan al Ahmar east of Jerusalem, throwing stones at homes and property and terrifying families, particularly women and children. The community has faced a series of settler assaults in recent weeks, including the use of loudspeakers at night and off road vehicle patrols near residents' homes as part of ongoing efforts to pressure the community to leave the area.