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Israeli officer wounded in al-Quds stabbing operation: Israeli media

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Israeli media
11 Feb 2024 23:35

The Israeli occupation military confirms its forces shot a Palestinian over an attempted stabbing operation near the town of Husan in the occupied West Bank.

A circulated picture showing Israeli occupation police officers after they shot a Palestinian over an alleged stabbing operation in occupied al-Quds, on February 22, 2024. (Social media)

Israeli media reported on Sunday that an Israeli occupation police officer was wounded in a stabbing operation in the Old City of occupied al-Quds.

Later, in a separate context, the Israeli occupation military confirmed that its forces shot a Palestinian over an attempted stabbing operation near the town of Husan in the occupied West Bank.

Last week, Israeli media mentioned that Israeli military and intelligence authorities have expressed concern regarding the upcoming month of Ramadan, recommending that concerned authorities ease measures against Palestinians in the occupied West Bank and al-Quds.

Ramadan is set to commence in early March this year, and the holy month is synonymous with several occasions that Muslims celebrate. Recently, the occupation has severely restricted the entry of Palestinians to one of the holiest sites, al-Aqsa Mosque, in occupied al-Quds. The measure comes hand in hand with increased systematic oppression of Palestinians in the occupied territory, including wide-scale detention campaigns and assassinations against Palestinians in the West Bank.

In this context, Israeli military and intelligence officials have recommended that restrictions be eased, fearing that "Hamas takes advantage of the most important time for Muslims, as a chance to ignite the [West Bank]," Yoav Zitun, the military affairs analyst for Israeli news website Ynet, wrote.

At the core of discussions in Israeli decision-making quarters is allowing Palestinian workers entry into '48 occupied territories. According to Zitun, the Israeli authorities are discussing a process to permit 100,000 Palestinians to occupied territories. Thousands of Palestinian families seek work opportunities in occupied territories, due to degenerating economic conditions in the occupied West Bank and the Gaza Strip, which comes as a direct result of the Israeli occupation of Palestine.

Since "Israel" launched its aggression on the Gaza Strip, it has also banned all Palestinian workers from entering '48 occupied territories.

Reminiscent of May 2021

The second crucial measure being discussed is to allow a larger number of worshippers entry into al-Aqsa Mosque. In May 2021, Israeli restrictions paired with assaults against Palestinians in al-Quds and worshippers in al-Aqsa Mosque led to daily confrontations between worshippers and Israeli occupation forces in the religious site's courtyards. In juxtaposition with rocket attacks launched by the Palestinian Resistance from the Gaza Strip, the scene highlighted a strong scene of unity between the two separated Palestinian territories.

Such wide-scale actions in the West Bank and al-Quds have constituted a fear that haunts Israeli officials, as the month of Ramadan is believed to trigger greater mobilization among Palestinians.

The recommendations made by military and intelligence authorities are believed to have stifling effects on such a scenario, according to Ynet.

Fragile Israeli government pushes for escalation

Zitun says that staunch racists and far-right ministers Bezalel Smotrich and Itamar Ben-Gvir have strongly opposed such measures. In light of this opposition and the frail composition of the Israeli government, the recommendations were transferred between several working parties of the Israeli government until they were "diluted and halted."

Nonetheless, the analyst said that "if the (Israeli) cabinet continues to ban the entry of workers and impose restrictions on movement during the month of Ramadan, [intelligence] indicates that these two bans may lead to violent disturbances during Ramadan and an increase in warnings of Palestinian attacks."

Moving into March, the Israeli aggression on the Gaza Strip would have neared 150 days, exceeding five months of confrontations, siege, and all-out ethnic cleansing of the Palestinian people. Israeli authorities are aware of the explosive situation that might be put off in Ramadan if the war on the Gaza Strip is not stopped. On the other hand, Palestinian Resistance factions will look to activate other fronts to impose their demands of a ceasefire, prisoner exchange, and a massive rebuilding project of the Strip.

'Israel' launches series of raids, detentions across West Bank

Earlier, the Palestinian Detainees and Ex-Detainees Affairs along with the Palestinian Prisoners Society reported that that IOF detained at least 12 Palestinians from yesterday morning until this Sunday morning, including released detainees.

The arrest campaign was concentrated in al-Khalil, specifically in the town of Beit Ummar, which witnessed a widespread incursion and field questioning of at least 30 Palestinians. The majority of them were later released, while others remained in detention.

The rest of the arrests were conducted in the cities of Areeha, Tulkarm, and Beit Lahm.

In addition to the wave of detentions and brutal beatings, the Israeli occupation forces conducted raids, assaults, and deliberate destruction of homes, including seizing money and vehicles.

The cumulative number of arrests since October 7 has risen to around 6,950, encompassing individuals detained from homes and military checkpoints and those compelled to surrender under pressure.

Amid the ongoing Israeli aggression on the Gaza Strip since October 7, Israeli occupation forces have carried out frequent incursions and arrest campaigns against Palestinians in the West Bank and al-Quds, which include storming houses and destroying them, as well as sabotaging civilian infrastructure.