West Bank Under Siege: Mass Funerals, Home Demolitions, and Worship Bans Amid Israeli Escalation
Funerals held for two martyrs in Tulkarm and Hebron as Israeli forces expand raids, displace families, and block access to holy sites amid broader war escalation.
Watan-In a dramatic escalation of Israeli military operations across the West Bank, massive crowds in Tulkarm and Hebron held funerals Friday for two martyrs—one killed by Israeli settlers, the other who died in Israeli custody. Meanwhile, Israeli forces continued large-scale operations in Qabatiya, Tubas, and surrounding areas, storming dozens of homes and expelling residents. This comes in parallel with Israel’s ongoing war on Iran and the tightening of the siege across Palestinian territories.
Tulkarm Bids Farewell to a Prisoner Martyr
In the town of Allar, north of Tulkarm, residents buried Raed Suleiman Mohammad Asa’sa (57), who died in Israeli custody. His body was handed over by Israeli forces at Jabara checkpoint and transferred by Palestinian Red Crescent to the government hospital. According to the Detainees Commission and the Prisoners’ Club, Asa’sa died on June 13 after being taken to an Israeli hospital four days earlier. Arrested in mid-May while working in Baqa al-Gharbiyye with his brother Mahmoud, Asa’sa reportedly fell ill after 10 days of detention.
Settler Shooting Victim Buried in Hebron
In Surif, northwest of Hebron, residents mourned Mohammad Ahmad Mahmoud Al-Hour (48), killed by settlers from the illegal Beit Ayn settlement. His brother Ali was critically wounded. Surif Mayor Hazem Ghneimat said settlers attacked civilians while they were trying to extinguish a fire started by the settlers, under protection of Israeli soldiers.
Military Raids and Displacement Intensify in Jenin
As Israel’s assault on Jenin entered its sixth month and 151st day, forces raided surrounding villages, turned homes into military posts, and forcibly displaced residents. In Anza, Israeli troops imposed a total lockdown, raided homes, and arrested at least 10 Palestinians, displacing families from 16 homes.
Home Demolitions and Arrest Campaign in Qabatiya and Tubas
In Qabatiya, Israeli bulldozers destroyed roads, while forces arrested a man and his son and issued demolition notices for homes belonging to the families of martyrs Wael Lahlooh, Mohammed Zakarneh, and Mohammed Asaad Nazzal. In Tubas, soldiers posted a demolition order on the family home of martyr Mohammed Jamal Daraghmeh, who was killed in February at Tayasir checkpoint.
Widespread Arrests and Destruction in Hebron
Israeli troops stormed Sa’ir, Halthul, Dura, and Idhna, turning homes into military outposts and arresting 30 Palestinians, including 11 from Halhul, 6 from Hebron, 3 children from Dura, and 9 from Idhna.
Al-Aqsa and Ibrahimi Mosque Closed to Worshippers
For the second Friday in a row, Israeli forces closed all gates to Al-Aqsa Mosque and Ibrahimi Mosque, preventing Palestinians from performing Friday prayers. Jerusalem officials condemned the move as a serious escalation aiming to alter the legal and historical status quo. Only a limited number of worshippers were allowed inside under the pretext of “maximum capacity,” while Israeli settlers were allowed access through the Moroccan Gate.
In Nabi Samuel village, northwest of Jerusalem, residents were also barred from accessing their mosque. Home to around 350 Palestinians, the village is enclosed by the separation wall and frequently targeted with restrictions, including turning parts of its mosque into a tourist site for settlers in a move seen as an attempt to erase its Islamic identity.
In Hebron, the Ibrahimi Mosque remained closed for the eighth consecutive day, with worshippers and staff denied entry under claims of “security concerns.”
