Nablus, West Bank — Israeli forces carried out a large-scale military raid in the historic Old City of Nablus this week, leaving dozens of Palestinians injured and further heightening tensions across the West Bank. The operation, described by witnesses as one of the most significant in recent months, underscores the deepening volatility of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict beyond Gaza.
Dozens Wounded in Clashes
The Palestinian Red Crescent Society confirmed that at least 80 Palestinians were wounded during the raid. Injuries included cases of live ammunition and rubber-coated bullets, as well as dozens suffering from tear gas inhalation. Medical teams were reportedly overwhelmed as the clashes spread across multiple neighborhoods.
A Massive “Show of Force”
Eyewitnesses and Palestinian officials described the operation as a large-scale incursion, involving hundreds of Israeli soldiers and armored vehicles advancing into the city’s densely populated Old City districts.
Snipers were reportedly deployed on rooftops, while Israeli troops fired tear gas canisters to disperse crowds. Local accounts also claimed that homes and businesses were seized and converted into temporary military outposts, intensifying confrontations with Palestinian youths who hurled stones at advancing soldiers.
Contrasting Narratives
The Israeli military confirmed it had launched an operation in Nablus but did not disclose its objectives, citing ongoing “security activity.” By contrast, Ghassan Daghlas, the governor of Nablus, condemned the raid as an “unprovoked assault,” accusing Israeli forces of escalating violence without justification.
Part of a Broader Campaign
The raid in Nablus follows a similar operation in Ramallah and al-Bireh a day earlier, where Israeli security forces reported seizing so-called “terror funds” from a local currency exchange center. Analysts note that these actions form part of a wider campaign of intensified raids, arrests, and security crackdowns across the West Bank since the outbreak of the Gaza war in October 2023.
The latest military push comes amid a spike in settler-related violence, with human rights groups warning of increased attacks on Palestinian communities and property. Together, these developments point to a widening front in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, far beyond the Gaza Strip.
Strategic and Political Implications
The Nablus raid highlights the shifting dynamics of Israel’s security strategy. By conducting large-scale incursions deep into West Bank cities, Israeli forces are signaling a determination to curb resistance networks, though critics argue such operations risk further inflaming local anger and triggering broader unrest.
For Palestinians, the events in Nablus reinforce perceptions of collective punishment and occupation-driven repression, while for Israel, they are framed as necessary to maintain control and prevent militant activity.
Internationally, the escalating violence in the West Bank complicates diplomatic efforts to contain the Gaza conflict and reignite peace talks. With both Washington and regional powers urging restraint, the latest events in Nablus are likely to intensify calls for renewed international intervention.
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