Palestinian Resistance repels Israeli raid in Balata camp in Nablus
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The al-Quds Brigades – Nablus Brigade says one of its combat units in Balata successfully repelled the Israeli forces' incursion into the camp this afternoon.
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Palestinian children run during an Israeli military raid in Qalqilya in the occupied West Bank, on December 12, 2024 (AFP)
Israeli occupation forces raided Sunday the eastern area of Nablus in the occupied West Bank, Al Mayadeen's correspondent in the occupied Palestinian territories reported.
The al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades announced that its Resistance fighters engaged in intense confrontations with the invading Israeli occupation forces in the Balata refugee camp in Nablus.
The al-Quds Brigades – Nablus Brigade stated that one of its combat units in Balata successfully repelled the Israeli forces' incursion into the camp this afternoon.
The Palestine Red Crescent Society (PRCS) confirmed that a youth was injured by shrapnel to the head during the Israeli raid on the Balata camp.
'Israel' to deploy autonomous guns that 'track targets' in West Bank
In a related context, the Israeli Army Radio reported Sunday that "the army will deploy automatic firing systems at key points in the West Bank," explaining that these systems include watchtowers and mechanisms that allow for remote firing.
According to the report, the Israeli military will install dozens of these systems at settlement entrances and engagement points to prevent "infiltration".
The Army Radio pointed out that the systems tailored for West Bank operations are already in production. In the initial phase, the Israeli military will prioritize areas deemed most vulnerable, with plans to expand the deployment in the future.
Training will also be conducted for members of Unit 636, the intelligence unit assigned to the West Bank, focusing on operating the systems and executing remote firing operations.
Remote-controlled killings: A press of a button from a guard tower
The Army Radio explained that the Israeli military is preparing to deploy the See-Shoot System in the occupied West Bank. Produced by Rafael Advanced Defense Systems, the system consists of a surveillance tower and a remote-controlled firing mechanism operated by female soldiers in the observation unit. It is designed to target "armed individuals approaching the separation fence."
Twin turrets, each fitted with a lens and a gun barrel, will be mounted on a guard tower filled with surveillance cameras overlooking the occupied West Bank. There are no soldiers stationed beside the weapons. Instead, the turrets are remotely controlled, allowing soldiers inside the tower to fire at "chosen targets" with the press of a button.
The Israeli military has used the system in the Gaza Envelope since 2008, but it failed to prevent Operation Al-Aqsa Flood, after being destroyed and disabled by Palestinian Resistance fighters.
In response, a military correspondent for Army Radio raised concerns, asking, "Given the system's failure and ineffectiveness around Gaza, why is it expected to succeed in the West Bank?"
The decision to deploy the system in the West Bank is driven by concerns over the "threat posed by potential attacks on settlements," according to the media outlet.
The introduction of this controversial weapon coincides with escalating Israeli aggression against Palestinians in the occupied West Bank following October 7, 2023.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's hardline coalition, which includes a far-right party closely aligned with the settler movement, has contributed to increased settler violence alongside Israeli military assaults.
It is worth noting that Israeli occupation forces have detained 12,100 Palestinians in the occupied West Bank, including the eastern part of occupied al-Quds, since the start of the war on the Gaza Strip on October 7, the Palestinian Prisoners Society (PPS) confirmed on Friday.
Human rights organizations have repeatedly expressed concerns about the unethical use of such automated guns, fearing that the system could be misused or hacked, with no accountability in potentially deadly situations. Many also condemn what they view as a weapons test being carried out on Palestinians.
Read more: West Bank fighters resists Israeli incursion into Balata refugee camp
