Israeli forces storm West Bank towns, shut down Christian sites

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Al Mayadeen
23 Jun 2025 01:23
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Israeli occupation forces escalate West Bank raids and al-Quds closures, storming towns, injuring a child, arresting civilians, and shutting Christian religious sites.

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An Israeli occupation soldier points his weapon at civilians during a military raid in the West Bank city of Nablus, occupied Palestine, on June 10, 2025. (AP)

Israeli occupation forces intensified their assaults across the occupied West Bank and al-Quds on Sunday, launching raids, arrests, and closures that targeted Palestinian towns, key roads, and religious sites.

In the village of al-Mughayyir, northeast of Ramallah, Israeli foot patrols stormed the area, triggering violent confrontations with residents. According to the village council head, Amin Abu Alia, the raid was accompanied by live fire, though no injuries were reported.

Further north, Israeli troops set up a military checkpoint at the eastern entrance to Qalqilya, severely disrupting civilian movement and causing major traffic congestion.

Attacks on al-Quds, holy sites

In occupied al-Quds, Israeli forces closed the Jaba' checkpoint north of the city, paralyzing traffic along the vital Jaba'-Qalandiya road, an essential gateway for Ramallah and al-Bireh. The occupation also tightened its military grip on the Old City, sealing off all access routes to al-Buraq Square and closing key gates, including Lions’ Gate, al-Maghariba, and al-Khalil.

Israeli forces shut down the Church of the Holy Sepulchre and other Christian pilgrimage sites, further deepening restrictions on religious freedom in the city.

In the town of Beit Furik, east of Nablus, a 15-year-old child was shot and injured during confrontations following a raid. Meanwhile, forces stormed the towns of Qabalan and Burqa in the north and south of Nablus, arresting eight Palestinians, including two women, and vandalized homes and the local Martyrs’ Monument. The iconic Handala statue in Burqa was destroyed, and racist graffiti was sprayed on the site.

Israeli forces also raided the villages of Huwara, Qaryut, and Salem, searching homes and disrupting civilian life.

The escalating Israeli campaign reflects a systematic crackdown on the Palestinian people, carried out amid international silence and what observers describe as complicit inaction in the face of mounting violations.