QALANDIYA CAMP – An extensive Israeli military operation, lasting over five hours, was carried out today in the Qalandiya refugee camp and the town of Kufr Aqab, north of Jerusalem. The operation, involving a significant number of soldiers and multiple government agencies, has left residents reeling and sparked questions about its true purpose.
The incursion began around 10:00 AM local time, transforming the lives of residents in Qalandiya, Kufr Aqab, and Samiramis. Witnesses reported a heavy presence of Israeli security forces, accompanied by personnel from various governmental departments. The operation targeted both civilian infrastructure and residential areas, resulting in widespread damage and significant material losses.
Eyewitness accounts indicate that the Israeli forces entered the area from three main directions: the Qalandiya military checkpoint, the Kochav Yaakov settlement (built on confiscated land from Kufr Aqab), and the Psagot settlement located on Al-Taweel Mountain near Al-Bireh. Immediately following the entry, reports emerged of damage to commercial properties lining the main road between Qalandiya, Kufr Aqab and Samiramis. The operation was accompanied by the firing of stun grenades and tear gas, effectively turning the area into a military zone with snipers positioned on rooftops.
Muneer Zgayer, head of the Northern Jerusalem Neighborhoods Committee, questioned the motives behind the operation, estimating the involvement of 200 to 300 soldiers. He suggested that a newly appointed Israeli army captain for the region may have ordered the operation to assert his authority. “Whenever a new commander takes over the area, we witness a large-scale incursion accompanied by significant disruption and widespread damage,” Zgayer stated.
“Claims that the operation was a law enforcement campaign are simply untrue,” he added. Zgayer highlighted the restrictions imposed on elderly residents attempting to return to their homes, the disruption of students’ academic progress, and the targeting of civilians with tear gas that penetrated their homes. He believes the operation was intended to send a message to the residents that they lack any real protection. The Israeli military has yet to issue a statement clarifying the specific objectives of the operation.
