The Israeli army escalated in the West Bank on Wednesday, storming Ramallah and other areas and arresting about 50 Palestinians, on a day that witnessed demolitions, control of homes, and confiscation of large lands.
The Israeli army launched a series of raids in a large operation in the West Bank, storming Ramallah, Nablus, Jenin, Bethlehem, Qalqilya, Hebron, and Tulkarm.
Local officials said that the army launched a massive arrest campaign, targeting detained editors, women, and journalists.
The Palestinian Prisoners' Club confirmed that the Israeli occupation forces carried out widespread arrest operations in several governorates in the West Bank, targeting at least 45 citizens, including 5 women and two journalists.
The Prisoner's Club explained that the arrests were concentrated in the Nablus and Hebron governorates, while the rest of the cases were distributed in the Qalqilya, Tulkarm, and Bethlehem governorates, in addition to the occupation forces carrying out a field investigation campaign in the Jenin governorate.
According to the club, these arrests come in the context of the occupation authorities continuing to escalate arrests and persecution operations in various governorates of the West Bank, within the framework of a systematic policy based on expanding the circle of targeting, and using arrest as a tool for persecution and pressure.
The club pointed out that the targeting of women and journalists through repeated arrest, in addition to the re-arrest of liberated prisoners shortly after their release, reflects the expansion of the circle of persecution and its continuation even after release.
According to the club, detention cases in the West Bank, including Jerusalem, have exceeded more than 26 thousand since October 7, 2023. “This reflects the unprecedented expansion in arrest and targeting operations, and the continued use of detention as a central historical colonial tool to target the Palestinian presence.”
The widespread arrests in the West Bank came days after the army ended intensive operations in Hebron and Nablus, which included the demolition of homes, arrests, and searches of infrastructure.
The Israeli army maintains a permanent presence in the West Bank, and has reinforced its forces again in the Hebron area in preparation for securing “Sabbat Sarah,” which is expected to witness the arrival of tens of thousands of settlers in Hebron next Saturday.
The escalation in the West Bank is not limited to raids and arrests, and Israel has escalated demolition and confiscation operations, targeting homes in Silwan, Bethlehem, Tulkarm, and lands near Ramallah.
On Wednesday, the Israeli occupation forces demolished a house in the town of Silwan, south of Al-Aqsa Mosque. The Jerusalem Governorate said that the demolition was preceded by vandalizing roads and uprooting trees in the town.
In Bethlehem, the army demolished a house in the town of Tuqu, southeast of Bethlehem. Israel also evacuated 25 families from their homes in the western region around the Tulkarm camp, and converted some homes into military barracks.
In Hebron, the army isolated the industrial zone in the town of Beit Ula, after closing all roads leading to it, in a move that threatens its factories with closure. In addition, Israel confiscated about 2,500 dunums of Ramallah land.
The Wall and Settlement Resistance Committee said that the occupation authorities issued a declaration deeming more than 2,536 dunams of the lands of Bitello, Al-Qibliyya Farm, and Deir Ammar, northwest of Ramallah, “government property.” The decision includes areas in the vicinity of the “Kerem Re’im” settlement.
The authority explained that the decision enhances the opportunities to expand the connectivity between the settlements of the “Talmonim” bloc, especially “Kerem Re’im,” “Neria,” and “Nahalel,” and their extension towards “Talmon” and “Dolev.” This process is integrated with the spread of pastoral outposts that expand the scope of effective control outside built-up areas, by persecuting farmers and herders and preventing the use of lands located between colonial sites.
The Commission believes that subjecting additional areas to the classification of “government property” prepares to stabilize this spread and enhance communication between its components, thus doubling the pressure on the surrounding Palestinian villages.
Bahrain said on Wednesday that Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi, who visited Manama on Wednesday, expressed his “condemnation of the Iranian aggression against the Kingdom,” after his meeting with King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa and Crown Prince Salman Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa.
The Prime Minister's Office said in a statement that Al-Zaidi met the Bahraini king during his official visit to the capital, Manama, and extended an invitation to him to visit Iraq, indicating that the visit comes to revive the historical relationship between the two countries.
Al-Zaidi stressed the endeavor to consolidate bilateral cooperation in the economic, investment, commercial, political and social fields, indicating that the two countries have common security, and that positions on regional and international issues must be unified.
He stressed the importance of working to achieve stability in the region and giving priority to the language of dialogue, to bring peace and end tension.
For his part, the King of Bahrain welcomed the visit of the Iraqi Prime Minister, considering that it will open new horizons for relations between the two countries, stressing his country’s support for the Iraqi government, noting the importance of working to achieve security and stability, preserving common interests, and consolidating bilateral relations in a way that enhances joint Arab action.
The Bahrain News Agency reported that King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa “expressed his appreciation for the efforts of the Iraqi Prime Minister and his keenness to strengthen the frameworks of bilateral cooperation and strengthen strong ties with the Kingdom, and the positions of the Republic of Iraq, its solidarity and support for the Kingdom of Bahrain, and its condemnation of the Iranian aggression that targeted the Kingdom.”
For his part, Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince and Prime Minister of Bahrain, stressed the strong historical relations between the Kingdom of Bahrain and the Republic of Iraq and the continuous progress they are witnessing, pointing out the importance of continuing to work on strengthening and developing aspects of cooperation and joint coordination between the two countries in various fields, and taking them towards broader horizons in order to achieve common goals and aspirations.
The Bahraini Crown Prince met with Al-Zaidi at Al-Qudaibiya Palace, where he stressed his keenness to continue building on the fruitful cooperation achieved, and to create more future opportunities that bring goodness and development to the two countries and peoples, according to the Bahrain News Agency.
Condemning “Iranian aggression”
The Bahraini Prime Minister expressed his appreciation for the efforts of the Prime Minister of the Republic of Iraq, and his keenness to continue strengthening bilateral cooperation and strengthening strong ties with Bahrain, and Iraq’s positions, solidarity and support for Bahrain and its condemnation of the Iranian aggression that targeted the Kingdom.
During the meeting, a number of issues and the development of regional and international events of common interest were also discussed, most notably the latest developments in the situation in the Middle East region, and views were exchanged thereon. In this regard, the two sides affirmed their support for all endeavors aimed at establishing security, stability and promoting peace in the region for the benefit of their countries and peoples.
Al-Zaidi expressed his thanks and appreciation to the Bahraini Crown Prince “for the keenness and interest shown by His Highness in continuing to develop the bilateral relations between Bahrain and the Republic of Iraq and taking them towards more advanced levels, in a way that brings goodness and development to the two countries and the two brotherly peoples.”
Political and official warnings are increasing in Lebanon about the consequences of plunging the country into any future military confrontation in the region, in light of talk about the high possibility of escalation between Iran, the United States, and Israel, and the lack of guarantees that Hezbollah will not participate in any confrontation alongside its regional allies, especially after information regarding the participation of experts from the party in military operations in Yemen alongside the Houthis.
In a position that carried clear political connotations, especially since it came after a meeting between President Joseph Aoun and Prime Minister Nawaf Salam at the presidential palace, Salam renewed his categorical refusal to drag Lebanon into any new war, stressing that the decision on war and peace must remain exclusively in the hands of the state and its constitutional institutions.
Salam said: “In the face of the dangers of renewed war in the region, I repeat the warning against the consequences of dragging Lebanon into any new absurd adventure in the service of foreign interests and throwing it into confrontations whose consequences it does not have the luxury to bear.”
He added: “Protecting Lebanon is a national responsibility that requires giving priority to its supreme interest over any other account, and a commitment that the decision of war and peace be exclusively in the hands of the state and its constitutional institutions. We will not accept that a fate be imposed on the Lebanese people that they did not choose, or that their homeland once again become an arena for the conflicts of others.”
Salam’s position was not limited to refusing to involve Lebanon in any regional confrontation, but rather went on to condemn any Lebanese interference in the internal affairs of Arab countries, in direct reference to Hezbollah’s participation in operations in Yemen, saying: “I denounce and strongly condemn any Lebanese elements or groups interfering in the internal affairs of our Arab brothers, especially carrying out any form of military activity that threatens the security and safety of their country, the latest of which was announced by the brotherly government of Yemen.” He stressed that these actions “can only result in harm to Lebanon and the interests of its people,” stressing the keenness to respect the sovereignty and security of Arab countries.
In the afternoon, the Presidency of the Republic announced that President Aoun contacted the Chairman of the Presidential Leadership Council of the Republic of Yemen, Dr. Rashad Muhammad Al-Alimi, and informed him of Lebanon’s keenness on the sovereignty of the Yemeni state and the refusal of any individuals or groups to interfere in its internal affairs or to carry out activities that affect its security, stability, or the safety of its people.
Reassurances without guarantees
Ministerial sources explained that Salam’s visit to the Presidential Palace preceded the Cabinet session scheduled for the Government Palace on Thursday, before he announced its postponement in the afternoon until next week, noting that meetings between the Presidents of the Republic and the government usually precede sessions that are not held in the Presidential Palace. With the aim of consulting on the agenda and general developments.
In the afternoon, the Presidency of the Government announced the postponement of the session until next week due to the Minister of Energy’s departure to Qatar to continue discussions with the Qatari side to develop the electricity sector, especially since the electricity file was supposed to be discussed.
The sources explained to Asharq Al-Awsat that the meeting discussed, in addition to the session’s agenda, the results of the American midterm elections and the continuing Israeli threats against Lebanon, in addition to the information circulating about Hezbollah’s participation in Yemen. She pointed out that the positions launched by Salam, in agreement with President Aoun, came in light of the existing data and facts, especially talk about the possibilities of regional escalation and information that indicated the participation of experts from Hezbollah in Yemen.
The sources confirmed that these positions reaffirm the tendency of the Presidency of the Republic and the government to refuse to plunge Lebanon into any new war, similar to what happened in previous stages, noting that “there are some assurances that have arrived from (Hezbollah) that it will not enter the war, but there are no guarantees in this context.” What remains is “caution and anticipation are the masters of the situation.”
Gemayel: Hezbollah's guarantees cannot be relied upon
In the context of Lebanese political positions that reject any involvement in a regional confrontation, the head of the Phalange Party, MP Sami Gemayel, put the possibility of Lebanon being dragged into a new war alongside Iran at the top of the risks, warning against repeating the experience of support wars.
Gemayel said, “The state cannot rely on the guarantees of Hezbollah, whose military decision is linked to Iran and the Revolutionary Guard,” stressing the necessity of “issuing a decisive official warning coupled with executive measures undertaken by the Lebanese army to prevent Lebanon from engaging in any confrontation.”
He promised that “the decision on war and peace is not in the hands of (Hezbollah),” calling on the Shiite forces that do not obey Tehran’s orders, led by the Shiite opposition and the Amal Movement, to “take a clear practical position that refuses to plunge the country into war,” with the need to protect these forces from intimidation.
Abu Faour: Bringing Lebanon into the war is an unforgivable sin
For his part, member of the Democratic Gathering, Representative Wael Abu Faour, warned of the danger of this stage, considering that the entire region is standing on a hot plate, and that the possibilities of war still exist unless last-minute settlements succeed.
Abu Faour said, “The entire region is on a hot plate, and the drums of war are beating unless last-minute settlements succeed, while the occupation forces continue to destroy the south without deterrence.”
He believed that “any internal party, specifically Hezbollah, taking Lebanon into a war like this, if it breaks out, constitutes an unforgivable sin against Lebanon and the Lebanese.”
Abu Faour added: “Iran has its interests, and Lebanon has its interests, which the Lebanese decide upon through their understanding through their constitutional institutions. Enough of the destruction of Lebanon at the hands of the Israeli occupation for the sake of Iran’s interests and calculations that do not take into consideration anyone but itself.”
Hezbollah denies its participation in operations in Yemen
In contrast to the official position, Hezbollah was quick to deny the participation of experts in managing military operations alongside the Houthis, stressing that these accusations are “completely baseless and not based on any facts.”
The party stressed that “the Yemeni people have the capabilities, capabilities, and experience that make them capable of defending their country and its sovereignty, and that they do not need support or intervention from anyone.”
