‘Israeli’ forces storm Birzeit University in West Bank

• ‘Israeli’ forces raid Birzeit University, injuring 11 students and dispersing a solidarity protest for Palestinian prisoners.
• The raid reflects repeated ‘Israeli’ violations of Palestinian academic institutions amid ongoing West Bank escalation.

‘Israeli’ forces stormed Birzeit University north of Ramallah, dispersing a student demonstration in support of Palestinian political prisoners, witnesses and Palestinian Red Crescent officials said.

The Red Crescent reported that 11 students were injured by live fire inside the campus, and ‘Israeli’ forces blocked medical teams from reaching the injured.

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‘Israeli’ soldiers fired live bullets and deployed tear gas, concentrating around Kamel Nasser Hall and other areas of the campus. The main gate of the university was reportedly destroyed during the raid.

Pattern of repeated raids

Birzeit University has been repeatedly targeted by ‘Israeli’ forces in past years, with previous raids involving student arrests and confiscation of property.

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The latest raid occurs amid an intensification of ‘Israeli’ attacks across the West Bank, including Jerusalem, since the start of the 'Israeli' war on Gaza on October 7, 2023. Local authorities and Palestinian organizations report at least 1,105 Palestinians killed, approximately 11,000 injured, and around 21,000 arrested during this period.

International concern

Human rights groups have condemned the repeated targeting of Palestinian educational institutions, warning that such attacks violate international law and threaten the safety and future of Palestinian students.