Israel Detains Palestinians in Nablus, Reopens Key West Bank-Jordan Crossing
NABLUS, Palestinian Territories, Sept 27 (VoM): Israeli forces detained several Palestinians during an overnight raid in the occupied West Bank city of Nablus, while the Allenby crossing linking the territory with Jordan reopened on Friday after days of closure.
According to an AFP journalist at the scene, the raid targeted multiple homes. The Israeli military confirmed the operation, stating that troops moved in to apprehend individuals “involved in terrorist activities.” Those arrested were later transferred to the Shin Bet, Israel’s domestic intelligence agency, for interrogation.
Hamas official Abdul Rahman Shadid said the crackdown targeted “former prisoners, journalists, academics, and members of the Legislative Council.” He warned that the arrests “will only fuel public anger” in the West Bank, which Israel has occupied since 1967.
Tensions in the West Bank have sharply escalated since the October 2023 Hamas attack on Israel triggered the Gaza war. According to Palestinian health authorities, at least 983 Palestinians, including militants, have been killed by Israeli troops and settlers in the West Bank since then. Over the same period, Israeli figures say at least 36 Israelis, including security personnel, were killed in Palestinian attacks or military operations.
Meanwhile, the Allenby crossing, the only international exit point for Palestinians in the West Bank that does not require entering Israel, reopened Friday, though three hours later than scheduled. The crossing had been mostly shut since last week, when a Jordanian truck driver delivering aid to Gaza fatally shot an Israeli soldier and a reservist at the border.
Israel announced Thursday that the terminal would resume operations for passenger traffic, easing concerns after Palestinian and Jordanian officials earlier said it would remain closed indefinitely. Thousands of Palestinians crowded outside the terminal on Friday morning before it reopened around 11:00 am local time.
The reopening came as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu delivered a fiery address at the United Nations, vowing to block the creation of a Palestinian state. He accused European nations that recognized Palestinian statehood of “rewarding Hamas” and pushing Israel toward what he called “national suicide.”
The developments highlight the deepening political and humanitarian crisis in the occupied territories, with violence continuing to surge alongside rising international tensions over recognition of Palestinian statehood.
@voice of Malaysia news