Qalandia: The Israeli army continued its raid on the Qalandia refugee camp, north of occupied East Jerusalem, for a second consecutive day on Thursday amid widespread incursions leading to casualties. Mohammad Aslan, head of the Palestine Liberation Organisation (PLO)-affiliated Qalandia Refugee Camp Popular Services Committee, reported serious injuries and widespread destruction as a result of the ongoing military operations.
According to TRTworld.com, three individuals were seriously injured due to severe beatings, including a person who sustained a skull fracture. Additionally, sixty others suffered from tear gas inhalation. Aslan noted that the Israeli forces ransacked homes, stealing cash and gold jewellery, and converted about eight homes into military outposts. The number of Palestinian detainees has reached approximately 20, with expectations of an increase as the raids persist.
Aslan expressed deep concern over the international community's silence regarding the situation, describing the living conditions in the camp as dire. Meanwhile, the Palestine Red Crescent Society reported treating 10 injured individuals and highlighted challenges faced by its crews as Israeli forces restricted their access to the camp, inhibiting medical assistance to those in need.
Local sources further detailed the Israeli army's tactics, such as the evacuation and subsequent demolition of Mohammad Jamil Ammar's home. The military offensive commenced on Wednesday and extended to the nearby town of Kafr Aqab, with Israeli forces executing near-daily raids across the West Bank, including East Jerusalem.
Since October 2023, when Israel's war on Gaza escalated, there has been an intensification of military activities in the West Bank. These operations have resulted in at least 1,182 Palestinian deaths, approximately 13,000 injuries, and nearly 24,000 arrests. The raids have also involved the demolition of homes and facilities, mosque burnings, agricultural land destruction, and the expansion of illegal Israeli settlements, further exacerbating the humanitarian crisis in the region.