Israeli army withdraws from West Bank town after military offensive

By Qais Abu Samra and Betul Yilmaz

JENIN, Palestine/ISTANBUL (AA) – Israeli army forces withdrew from the Ya’bad town in the northern West Bank on Wednesday after a 16-hour military operation, witnesses said.

During the assault, Israeli forces raided several homes in the town and interrogated dozens of residents before detaining several people, they added.

Mayor Amjad Atatreh said army forces closed all entry points to the town and imposed a curfew during the raid.

“Several homes were turned into military barracks, and the residents’ valuables, including gold jewelry and money, were seized by Israeli forces,” he told Anadolu.

The Israeli army also raided the city of Jenin, searched several stores in the area, and fired tear gas canisters on residents, witnesses said.

Since the start of Israel’s assault on Gaza on Oct. 7, 2023, at least 977 Palestinians have been killed and more than 7,000 injured in the West Bank by Israeli forces and illegal settlers, the Palestinian Health Ministry said.

In a landmark opinion last July, the International Court of Justice declared Israel’s occupation of Palestinian territory illegal and called for the evacuation of all settlements in the West Bank and East Jerusalem.