Qabatiya, West Bank – Israeli occupation forces fully withdrew from the town of Qabatiya, south of Jenin in the occupied West Bank, earlier today. The withdrawal follows a large-scale military operation launched in response to a recent stabbing and vehicular attack in Beit She’an that resulted in the deaths of two Israelis.
The military operation, which began on Friday, included a comprehensive siege of the town. For days, residents were subjected to a strict curfew, preventing entry and exit. According to the mayor of Qabatiya, the town was completely isolated, with extensive house raids and searches conducted throughout the area.
Israeli media outlets quoted Defense Minister Yoav Gallant stating that the military is acting forcefully against what he termed “terrorist strongholds” in Qabatiya. He affirmed the continuation of an aggressive policy in the northern West Bank. Gallant added that the curfew and complete blockade on the Palestinian town were integral to the operation.
Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi held consultations with security officials to assess the situation on the ground. He issued orders to continue offensive operations and pursue Palestinian militants in the Jenin area, emphasizing the completion of engineering procedures to demolish the home of the perpetrator of the attack that occurred on Friday.
In a separate development, Israeli forces raided several villages west of Ramallah in the central West Bank, including Kharbatha Bani Harith, Ni’lin, Kafr Ni’ma, and Beit Ur al-Tahta. Reports indicate that soldiers fired sound grenades and tear gas at residential homes and established military checkpoints, disrupting traffic flow.
During the raids, soldiers reportedly confiscated surveillance camera recordings from businesses. Journalists, including a DZWatch news crew, were allegedly targeted with tear gas to obstruct their coverage of the events.
Furthermore, in Nablus, Israeli forces entered the ancient town of Sebastia, northwest of the city, according to local sources. The situation remains tense, with ongoing reports of clashes and heightened security measures throughout the West Bank.
