Israeli forces and settlers launch sweeping raids across West Bank after deadly Nablus shootout

A violent encounter in the village of Tal near Nablus resulted in the deaths of four Palestinians and two Israeli soldiers, prompting Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to order a large-scale military response across the occupied West Bank. Israeli forces carried out raids in dozens of locations, including Jenin, Ramallah, Hebron and Bethlehem, arresting hundreds of Palestinians and tightening road checkpoints. Concurrently, Jewish settlers entered Qusra and Kour, defacing the newly built Al-Rahma Mosque with slogans and attempting to set both mosques on fire.

Palestinian authorities documented attacks on a paramedic in Masafer Yatta and assaults on civilians in Huwara and Rafidia. Israeli army spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Ella Waweya said homes in Tal were being sealed ahead of possible demolition, a practice condemned as collective punishment. The surge in violence follows months of heightened settler aggression and occurs three months before national elections, where right-wing leaders such as Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich advocate for new settlement units.