The Israeli military detained more than 70 Palestinians across the occupied West Bank overnight into Saturday. This military sweep immediately follows a violent confrontation on Friday that left four Palestinians and two Israeli soldiers dead. Driving the sudden escalation is a combination of economic strangulation and looming Israeli general elections scheduled just three months away.
During the overnight operations, more than 50 armed soldiers entered the Nablus Specialty Hospital. Medical staff reported that troops terrified patients before arresting an injured man directly from the facility.
Friday’s initial violence erupted when a group of Israeli settlers, some of whom were armed, entered the Palestinian village of Tell. A scuffle broke out shortly after their arrival, resulting in the deaths of the six men. In direct retaliation for that clash, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu officially ordered the establishment of new illegal settler outposts. He also accelerated the legalization of existing farm outposts across the territory.
Following the arrests, international observers condemned the military response. UN Special Rapporteur Francesca Albanese accused Israeli civilians and the army of joining forces in pogroms against defenseless Palestinians. Amin Shuman, president of the Palestinian higher commission for the affairs of prisoners, characterized the sweeps as a continuation of collective punitive measures against the population.
Beyond the physical raids, the West Bank faces a growing financial crisis. The Bank of Israel recently restricted the volume of physical currency it takes back from the territory. That policy traps surplus cash and hobbles the local economy as Netanyahu attempts to appease his right-wing support base ahead of the upcoming elections.