Tuesday, 17/02/2026   
   Beirut 12:27

Israeli Occupation Forces Launch Sweeping Raids Across West Bank, Demolish Homes

Israeli occupation sldiers take up positions during raid in West Bank's Hebron (January 19, 2026).

Israeli occupation forces continued their incursion into the city of Salfit on Tuesday, deploying throughout its neighborhoods and streets amidst heightened military measures.

In Salfit, occupation forces continued their incursion for a second day, deploying throughout the city amid heightened military measures. Local sources reported that troops raided and searched several homes, damaging property and converting some residences into military outposts. Residents were detained for hours and subjected to field interrogations, while several young men sustained bruises during assaults by soldiers. Occupation Military checkpoints were erected across multiple neighborhoods, accompanied by the firing of stun grenades.

All entrances to Salfit remained closed with earth mounds, part of intensified measures in effect since Monday evening. Road closures included the Askaqa Bridge east of Salfit, the Wadi al-Sha’er road southeast of the city, the Khirbet Qais road to the south, and the Hospital-Farkha road west of Salfit.

In western Salfit, occupation forces demolished a house in the town of Qarawat Bani Hassan after storming the area with military vehicles. Local sources confirmed the home belonged to a resident and was demolished under the pretext of being built without a permit.

Meanwhile, occupation forces stormed the town of Ya’bad west of Jenin, setting up a flying checkpoint at its entrance and raiding a home. In occupied Jerusalem, troops arrested 15-year-old Alaa al-Din Muhammad al-Issawi after raiding his home in Al-Issawiya, ransacking its contents. Foot patrols also conducted raids in the Shu’fat refugee camp.

In Bethlehem Governorate, occupation forces stormed the town of Tuqu’, raiding multiple homes belonging to the Abu Mufreh, al-Badan, and al-Amour families, though no arrests were reported. In southern Bethlehem, troops accompanied by bulldozers entered the town of al-Khader, cordoning off the Ard al-Deir area and restricting movement in preparation for demolishing a three-story inhabited building belonging to two brothers from the Issa family.

Northwest of Jerusalem, a young man identified as Amer Barakat was injured after settlers attacked a group of young men in the village of Nabi Samuel.

In the Ramallah and al-Bireh Governorate, five Palestinians were arrested at dawn. Detainees included Abdul Basit Ma’tan from Burqa, Jamal al-Sheikh from Ramallah, Muhammad Saleh Aliyan from Jalazone refugee camp, Najeh Assi from al-Balou’ neighborhood, and Fadi Hamad from Birzeit. All arrests followed overnight raids on their homes.

Separately, residents of Qalqilya Governorate held a funeral procession Monday evening for 18-year-old Muhammad Kamal Shraim, who was laid to rest in the city’s old cemetery. Medical sources confirmed Shraim died from a gunshot wound to the chest after being shot by Israeli forces near the checkpoint at the city’s northern entrance adjacent to the separation wall. The procession drew large crowds from across the governorate.