Israel launches largescale Nablus raid with fears of prolonged assault
Israeli forces launched a wide-scale military raid in the heart of the occupied West Bank city of Nablus on Tuesday, in what local sources describe as the largest such incursion in more than two years.
Israeli forces opened fire at Palestinians, including a paramedic, deployed tear gas, arrested several individuals, and violently raided homes during the ongoing incursion.
Footage shared by local media showed a Palestinian man with his hands raised approaching Israeli soldiers before a scuffle ensued and gunshots were heard in the background.
Israeli media reported that two Palestinians were killed after allegedly attempting to seize a soldier's weapon. Palestinian authorities have yet to confirm the deaths.
Mujahed Tabanja, a journalist at the scene, told Middle East Eye the two men were shot while trying to return to their homes in the Old City. Ambulances were blocked from reaching them.
New MEE newsletter: Jerusalem Dispatch
Sign up to get the latest insights and analysis on Israel-Palestine, alongside Turkey Unpacked and other MEE newsletters
The Palestinian Red Crescent Society (PRCS) in Nablus reported at least 65 Palestinians were wounded.
Fawaz al-Bitar, a PRCS operations officer, told MEE some of the injured suffered gunshot wounds to the thigh and some were the result of physical assault by soldiers.
'An ambulance was also fired upon while in the city centre, and one paramedic was shot'
- Fawaz al-Bitar, PRCS operations officer
There were also cases of tear gas inhalation as Israeli forces fired tear gas bombs at homes in the alleys of the Old City, a densely populated area.
"Our work was obstructed several times, and we were prevented from reaching the two injured young men,” Bitar told MEE.
“An ambulance was also fired upon while in the city centre, and one paramedic was shot,” he added.
The raid began shortly after midnight local time when a large number of military vehicles entered the city from multiple directions.
According to the Israeli army, the military operation will last 24 hours and will be concentrated in the Old City.
Meanwhile, Israeli officers announced a curfew via loudspeakers, ordering residents to remain indoors until Wednesday morning - the first such measure imposed in Nablus since the Second Intifada in 2000.
Contact with several families has been cut off since the Israeli army stormed their homes.
"The soldiers raised their weapons at us and shouted at us when we tried to enter the Old City,” Tabanja told MEE.
“The raid is also extending to other parts of the city, including Balata Camp," he added.
Meanwhile, soldiers arrested dozens of young men during the raids on homes and arbitrarily confiscated the belongings of residents.
Political raid
The large-scale raid on Nablus, despite the announcement that it would only last a day, has raised fears among its residents.
They fear it may lead to a prolonged and devastating military assault similar to those taking place in Jenin and Tulkarm.
Munadil Hanani, a member of the city's Factional Coordination Committee, told MEE there were indications that the incursion could last for a long period.
He noted that Israeli troops stormed the city from all directions and brought in dozens of military vehicles.
They also brought fuel tanks for the vehicles, a measure that isn't often taken during short-term incursions.
Forces have also rotated amid the incursion, suggesting they could be in the city for some time.
"From my perspective, the incursion is political, not security-related,” Hanani said.
Israel claims the goal is to ‘eliminate terrorism’ but it is linked to the domestic political crisis and an attempt to extricate [Prime Minister Benjamin] Netanyahu from his predicament," Hanani added.
Meanwhile, life in Nablus was completely paralysed by the raid with markets deserted and schools, universities and public institutions closed until further notice.
middleeasteye.net