Israeli Security Alert in West Bank Ahead of Ramadan and Government Plans to Accelerate Land Annexation

Israeli occupation security forces have intensified their field preparations in various West Bank governorates as the holy month of Ramadan approaches. These moves come amid growing security concerns about an escalation in commando operations, with forces launching night raids that resulted in the arrest of 19 Palestinian citizens.

Hebrew press sources reported that the occupation army command decided to deploy 'commando' units from the West Bank division to carry out pre-emptive operations and extensive arrests. These moves aim to tighten security control over vital areas, including the separation wall, settlements, and central roads used by settlers.

In a significant development, the Israeli army began technical training for the first time to use 'Eitan' armored personnel carriers in the alleys and streets of the West Bank. This measure reflects the occupation's desire to enhance the protection of its forces during incursions, benefiting from lessons learned from ongoing military operations in the Gaza Strip.

The security system anticipates the arrival of thousands of Palestinian worshipers at the blessed Al-Aqsa Mosque during the Fridays of Ramadan. Accordingly, plans have been put in place to reinforce military presence at the 'Rachel' checkpoint south of Jerusalem and 'Qalandia' checkpoint north of it, to ensure precise monitoring of entry and exit movements.

On the political front, informed sources revealed the Israeli government's intention to approve a decision to begin the 'land settlement' process in the West Bank. This legal procedure aims to convert vast areas of Palestinian property into what is called 'state land,' facilitating their subsequent confiscation.

Leaked plans indicate that the decision will oblige the commander of the Central Command to complete the registration of 15% of West Bank lands, focusing on areas classified as (C). The occupation authorities seek to complete these procedures by 2030, to impose a new demographic and geographic reality that ends any chance of establishing a Palestinian state.

For its part, the United Nations, through the Office of Human Rights, warned that these steps aim to facilitate the forced displacement of Palestinians from their lands. The spokesperson for the office, Ravina Shamdasani, affirmed that the oppressive environment in the West Bank has dangerously worsened since October 7, threatening the lives of thousands of families.

The international organization considered that the expansion of Israeli sovereignty over the occupied territories represents a blatant violation of the rules of international law and the Geneva Conventions. It clarified that the consolidation of the annexation reality on the ground is achieved by narrowing the space available to Palestinians and depriving them of access to their natural resources and agricultural lands.

Earlier, the Ministerial Council (the Cabinet) approved granting the occupation authorities broad powers of oversight and enforcement in areas classified as (A) and (B). These powers allow for the demolition of Palestinian structures and confiscation of property under the pretext of building violations, even in areas administratively under the Palestinian Authority.

On the ground, recent arrests focused on Nablus governorate, where 12 citizens from the towns of Asira al-Shamaliya and Beit Furik were arrested after thorough house searches. Incursions also included the town of Kafr ad-Dik in Salfit, where a citizen and two of his sons were arrested after their home contents were vandalized.

In the southern and central West Bank, arrests targeted young men and boys from the town of Tuqu', the village of Aboud, and the town of Ni'lin, amid physical assaults on residents. These campaigns come at a time when official statistics indicate that there are more than 9,300 Palestinian prisoners in occupation prisons under harsh conditions.

The West Bank is witnessing increasing restrictions on freedom of movement through military checkpoints and iron gates that separate villages from major cities. Human rights reports confirm that these restrictions hinder citizens' access to health and educational services, and cause a near-complete paralysis of economic and social life.

Since the start of the aggression on Gaza, the West Bank has seen 1,112 martyrs and about 11,500 others injured by occupation and settler bullets. Settler attacks on Palestinian villages adjacent to pastoral outposts have also escalated, in an attempt to intimidate residents and push them towards forced displacement.

Observers agree that the occupation is racing against time to impose its full control over the West Bank through two parallel tracks; security and military on the ground, and legal settlement. The international community is called upon to urgently intervene to stop these violations that threaten to ignite the situation unprecedentedly in the region.

The goal is to reduce armed activity through thwarting operations and arrests, so that the adversary always feels hunted.