After the destruction of Gaza, Israel turns to West Bank

From yesterday, the Israeli military has been conducting a large-scale raid on the Jenin refugee camp in the West Bank, killing at least 10 Palestinians and injuring more than 35. The operation, dubbed "Iron Wall" by Israeli forces, was undoubtedly aimed at escalating violence across the West Bank to appease the right-wing formations that are threatening to dismantle Netanyahu's coalition — namely, Betzalel Smotrich and Itamar Ben-Gvir. Jenin's governor described the operation as an "invasion," with a heavy military presence entering the camp, including Apache helicopters hovering above and shooting live fire at residents. While some analysts suggested the raid was a diversion following the resignation of Israeli military commanders over their failures on October 7, this analysis completely omits the settler-colonial design of the Israeli state.

Escalations by the Israeli state have increased since the announcement of a ceasefire. Israeli settlers, under the protection of the state, carried out violent attacks across the occupied West Bank, setting fire to Palestinian homes, vehicles, and properties and injuring at least 21 Palestinians. The coordinated attacks targeted the villages of Jinasfut, Funduq, Masafer Yatta, Sinjil, Ein Siniya, and Turmus Aya. Settlers burned homes, a nursery, and vehicles while also assaulting Palestinians and damaging property. The attacks are part of an ever-escalating routine of violence intended to drive Palestinian residents out of their communities.

On January 9, settlers suspected to be from the Shilo settlement set an agricultural structure ablaze in Khirbet Abu Falah village, located in Area B of the Ramallah governorate. The following day, January 10, settlers from a new outpost near Bardala village in the northern Jordan Valley vandalized over 100 Palestinian olive trees and harassed farmers who came to inspect the damage. They then called Israeli forces, who detained four Palestinians and expelled farmers from the area, claiming it was a military zone. The next day, on January 11, armed settlers attacked the outskirts of Turmus'ayya in Ramallah, damaging two homes and breaking into agricultural structures. Clashes erupted as settlers moved deeper into the town, resulting in stone-throwing that injured four Palestinians, including a child. No settlers were reported injured. In the central West Bank on that same day, armed settlers stormed Barriyet Kisan in Bethlehem, throwing stones at Palestinian homes and launching a Molotov cocktail at one house. The attack caused partial damage to a home and destroyed three sacks of food for the livestock after a fire broke out in another structure.

In collaboration, Israeli soldiers fired tear gas, blanketing and suffocating entire communities. The Palestinian Red Crescent treated victims, many of whom suffered bruises from beatings.

Even before the announcement of the so-called ceasefire agreement, Israeli forces and settlers intensified violence and restrictions in the occupied West Bank: Between January 7 and 13, Israeli forces killed six Palestinians, including three children, and injured 38 others. Airstrikes in the Jenin refugee camp on January 14th and 15th killed 12 Palestinians, including a child.

While much of the focus has been on the violence in Jenin, it is essential to remember that since the beginning of the year, the Israeli state has already carried out 27 military operations across East Jerusalem and the West Bank, destroying 71 homes and structures, displacing 107 Palestinian during the winter months. In Jenin refugee camp, ongoing military operations since December 2024 have displaced 2,000 families, leaving 3,400 residents struggling with shortages of food, water, and electricity.

There is always a narrative of “flare-ups”, which suggests periods of calm, during which the forces of zionism aren’t systematically attacking and erasing Palestinians. But in reality, Israeli colonial violence isn’t an “event”, but rather a system that operates 24/7 and 365 days a year. To illustrate this point, consider just one day in the West Bank and East Jerusalem.

Israeli military raids and settler attacks on January 21, 2025

Jerusalem Governorate

On the morning of January 20, forces tightened restrictive measures at the Jaba checkpoint, firing sound bombs and tear gas at Palestinians waiting to pass. Authorities issued a decision to confiscate 15 dunams of land around the al-Zaim checkpoint. At 08:00, extremist settlers, under police protection, stormed Al-Aqsa Mosque's courtyards and conducted provocative tours.

Ramallah Governorate

The Al-Mahkama checkpoint near Beit El settlement operated with strict procedures from 09:00 to 16:00. Forces established multiple temporary checkpoints throughout the day at Yabroud (12:00), Deir Abu Mash'al (15:30), Ein Siniya (15:40), Aboud (16:25 and again at 06:55), Atara bridge (19:15), and Burqa (20:25).

Israeli forces stormed Deir Abu Mash'al at 19:15, arresting Mahmoud Hussein Al-Beidh and Yaqoub Mahmoud Daoud amid clashes where tear gas and sound bombs were fired haphazardly into the community. They also raided Beit Rima (21:25-22:30) and Kharbatha Bani Harith (00:25-02:10).

Multiple road closures were implemented, including the Ras Karkar-Deir Bzei' road, Ein Yabrud entrance, and gates at Bir Zeit, Nabi Saleh, and Aboud. In the evening, settlers gathered at Ein Siniya village entrance, attacking vehicles and obstructing movement.

Tubas Governorate

The Tayasir checkpoint operated from 04:30 to 22:00, with forces tightening measures and obstructing traffic at 10:35.

Tulkarm Governorate

At 04:10, forces stormed the Shuwaika suburb, resulting in clashes and six arrests, including the injured Wassim Maher Asaad. Additional arrests included Saleh Misha near Jabara Gate, whose vehicle was confiscated. The Einav Checkpoint operated with specific hours throughout the week. Forces maintained closures at Beit Lid's main entrance and Shufa's western and southern entrances. At midnight, settlers attacked a gas station in Beit Lid with stones.

Qalqilya Governorate

Forces stormed Azzun at 17:50, detaining and field-investigating 70 residents before release. They arrested Fadi Rushdi Balia in Al-Funduq village and Ameed Sadiq Balia in Jinsafut. In Qalqilya city, five residents were arrested: Jamal Abdul Raouf Jaber, Muhammad Ghassan Abu Asab, Iyad Ayman Aweinat, Ahmad Issam Titan, and Ahmad Khadraj. At 21:45, settlers attacked Jinsafut and Al-Funduq villages, setting fire to vehicles, a bulldozer, homes, a nursery, and a carpentry shop, resulting in 12 injuries. Multiple road closures remained in effect, including gates at Azzun, Nabi Elias, Hajjah, and Imatin.

Nablus Governorate

Forces stormed Beit Furik at 02:45, arresting 13 Palestinians, including a Preventive Security Service soldier. At the Al-Murabba'a checkpoint, forces beat resident Alam Ali Saad and confiscated 6,000 shekels from him. The Sarra checkpoint operated with specific hours for Palestinian and Israeli vehicles, while the Huwara checkpoint remained closed. Forces maintained strict measures at the Deir Sharaf, Awarta, and Al-Murabba checkpoints.

Salfit Governorate

Multiple temporary checkpoints were established at Kafel Haris and Salfit's northern entrance. Forces stormed Al-Zawiya at 16:30. Road closures continued at Deir Istiya, Kafr al-Dik, Kafl Haris, Haris, and Marda. At 22:15, settlers threw stones at passing vehicles on the Wadi Qana road.

Jericho Governorate

Forces set up four checkpoints around Jericho at 17:00. They stormed Aqabat Jaber camp at 00:45, beating resident Rami Jamal. A 17-year-old, Islam Alaa Daoud Abu Shama, was arrested at the city's southern entrance. At the Hamra checkpoint, forces tightened security measures and obstructed traffic.

Bethlehem Governorate

The Al-Nashash checkpoint operated from 07:00 to 19:00 with strict measures. Forces stormed al-Khader, resulting in one injury, and arrested two Palestinian residents in Bethlehem: Idris Suleiman Atta Al-Abayat and Rami Yasser Warad. Settlers with dogs attacked a shepherd, Awad Abd Ubayyat, in Kisan village, and cut down 50 olive trees in Nahalin. Multiple road gates remained closed, including those at Beit Fajjar, Tuqu, Janata, and Qabr Hilweh junction.

Hebron Governorate

Forces conducted multiple arrests: 11 Palestinians in Idhna, two in Halhul (Baraa Taha Al-Baba and Yousef Badr Zamaara), and journalist Farah Mohammed Ahmed Abu Ayyash in Beit Ummar. Numerous road closures remained in effect, with some areas operating on restricted hours. Settler attacks occurred at al-Fawwar camp and Yatta, where they threw stones at vehicles and stormed the home of Osama Hamamda in the Ma'in area.

Moving forward

In 2025, several of the Good Shepherd Collective Palestinian members are working on organizing speaking tours in the United States and elsewhere. Bana Abu Zuluf will be heading to Chicago at the end of May, and we’re hoping to set up a few public discussions. If you’re interested in hosting a small discussion group while she’s in Chicago, please reply to this email.

If you’re not in Chicago or not able to organize the public speaking event, please consider donating financially to support our speaking tour. Almost all of our work is able to continue because individuals like yourself are willing to invest a few dollars a month in our vision.