ISRAELI FORCES AND SETTLERS CONDUCT OPERATIONS ACROSS WEST BANK

Israeli forces and settlers conducted operations across multiple locations in the occupied West Bank on Friday, according to reports from Palestinian sources. Hundreds of settlers, protected by the Israeli military, stormed a town near Nablus at dawn and converted one house into a military barrack. Settlers east of Nablus prevented Palestinians from attending Friday prayers at local mosques, whilst approximately 50 settlers east of Bethlehem attacked Palestinians in the area. Israeli forces also raided a town near Tubas and stormed the Qalandia camp, where they arrested at least one young man.

The operations occurred amid broader restrictions on Palestinian movement across the West Bank. Israeli authorities have installed roadblocks at multiple locations, including three new checkpoints at Ras al-Ain hill in the village of Qusra in the northern West Bank, established on Wednesday. These roadblocks, consisting of large yellow and orange metal gates, restrict access to Palestinian land and homes. According to Palestinian accounts, the roadblocks have multiplied since Israel's military operations in Gaza began in October 2023.

Three homes in Qusra have been besieged by Israeli settlers since 9 August, with Israeli forces declaring the area a closed military zone. Loui Ridi, a Palestinian-American resident, returned to Qusra on 17 August to defend his property after the siege began and stated he has been unable to leave his home since his arrival. Palestinian residents described the newly erected roadblocks as a "more permanent siege" that restricts movement in the area, despite their stated purpose of creating distance between settlers and Palestinian homes.