News|Israel-Palestine conflictQalqilya targeted as Israel escalates raids in northern West BankRaids lead to arrest of Palestinians, as Israeli violence surges across northern occupied West Bank.
## Regulation: Recent Developments in the West Bank
Regulation: Recent Developments in the West Bank
Israeli military actions in the northern West Bank have intensified, particularly in the town of Qalqilya. On Thu, Dec 4, 2025, Israeli forces entered Qalqilya, establishing a perimeter around the Kafr Saba neighborhood. Raids were conducted on multiple homes, including those of families with members detained or previously killed by Israeli forces. One residence was used as an interrogation site, with several individuals being questioned. At least two arrests occurred in Qalqilya, with additional detentions reported in Ramallah, Hebron, Jenin, and Nablus.
This escalation is part of a broader military operation that began in late November in Tubas and Tammun, subsequently extending to Qabatiya and Masliya. The operation has involved curfews, widespread raids, arrests, and infrastructure damage. The Israeli military states that the objective is to apprehend Palestinian fighters, with the frequency of raids increasing since the conflict in Gaza commenced in October 2023.
There are claims from local Palestinian sources that recent activities aim to establish new conditions in the Jordan Valley region, bordering Jordan. Israeli political figures continue to advocate for the expansion of settlements in these areas, potentially facilitating annexation. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has been associated with support for such initiatives, including granting increased control to Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, a resident of an illegal settlement. The expansion of settlements poses significant challenges to the viability of a Palestinian state.
Israeli military actions in the northern West Bank have intensified, particularly in the town of Qalqilya.
In response to international resolutions supporting a two-state solution, Israeli officials have suggested sovereignty measures over the West Bank as a counteraction. The United Nations has recorded over 1,000 Palestinian fatalities and nearly 10,000 injuries due to military and settler actions since the Gaza conflict began. Additionally, more than 18,000 arrests have been reported by Palestinian rights organizations during this period.
Based on reporting by Al Jazeera.
