Intensified Military Actions Lead to Demolition of Shops Near Qalandiya

As military operations escalate in Palestinian neighborhoods, Israeli forces have started demolishing businesses in the vicinity of the Qalandiya refugee camp, situated north of occupied East Jerusalem. This move is part of a broader military incursion that has affected multiple areas, as reported by witnesses and medical personnel.

The operations commenced early on Tuesday, extending into the adjacent town of Kafr Aqab, where a significant number of Israeli troops reportedly conducted house searches and forcibly relocated residents. Various local media outlets highlighted the scale of these actions.

Casualties and Injuries Reported

The Palestine Red Crescent Society has indicated that its medical teams treated multiple injuries during the raids in both Qalandiya and Kafr Aqab. Reported injuries included a gunshot wound to the thigh, shrapnel wounds from live ammunition, and injuries stemming from direct physical assaults.

According to the Jerusalem governorate, at least three Palestinians were reported injured by gunfire from Israeli forces, alongside numerous cases of suffocation due to tear gas and stun grenades, as detailed by the Palestinian Wafa news agency.

During this extensive operation, several individuals were arrested, which included Anan Mohammed Taha and his father, both residents of the Qalandiya refugee camp, as reported by Wafa.

Forced Evacuations and Military Presence

Residents have reported that Israeli forces instructed various families to evacuate their homes, with evidence suggesting at least three houses have been repurposed into temporary military outposts in Kafr Aqab. Homeowners received warnings that the operations would extend until the following morning.

Additionally, Israeli forces invaded the youth club located in the Qalandiya refugee camp, converting the facility into a military outpost, as noted by an Al Jazeera Arabic correspondent.

Journalists covering the activities also faced aggression, including Al Jazeera Arabic team members, who were subjected to stun grenades and tear gas fired in their direction during the raid in Kafr Aqab.

Authorities in the Jerusalem governorate disclosed that stun grenades were also aimed at students returning home from school. Surveillance cameras belonging to private citizens were reportedly confiscated during the incidents.

Nida Ibrahim from Al Jazeera, reporting from Kafr Aqab, stated that the actions of Israeli forces continue to create a climate of “intimidation” for Palestinians. She noted, “They have raided Palestinian stores, destroyed advertisement billboards, and taken steps to undermine the Palestinian economy.” Ibrahim also emphasized that this ongoing aggression contributes to the heightened anxiety experienced by Palestinians.

She added that these military incursions in the West Bank average around “60 raids per day.” In addition to demolitions, Israeli forces have confiscated items from local businesses in Qalandiya, Kafr Aqab, and parts of northern Jerusalem, attributing these actions to alleged unpaid municipal taxes.

Many individuals living in these regions possess Jerusalem residency cards, yet they face excessively high municipal taxes while receiving minimal basic services in return.

In a related incident, confrontations were reported in Beit Furik, a town located east of Nablus in the occupied West Bank, after Israeli forces stormed the area.