Israeli forces raided the West Bank city of Ramallah on Tuesday, leaving dozens wounded and causing widespread panic. The raid targeted money exchanges linked to Hamas, but its timing has raised concerns about undermining the Palestinian Authority’s efforts to capitalize on recent recognition from major Western countries.
The Palestinian Red Crescent reported 58 people injured in the incident, with eight suffering live fire and 14 from rubber-coated bullets. Rock-throwing protests erupted as Israeli armored vehicles rolled into the city center. Five people were detained “suspected of terrorist activity.”
Ramallah is a hub for the Palestinian Authority, which cooperates with Israel on security matters but has faced criticism for corruption and autocracy. The city’s residents have endured increased violence in recent months, including a surge in settler violence and Palestinian attacks on Israelis.
The Israeli military rarely conducts daytime raids into downtown areas, making this incident unusual. Its timing also comes as the international community recognizes Palestinian statehood, which may further strain relations between Israel and its rival faction, Hamas.
Source: https://apnews.com/article/israel-palestinians-west-bank-raid-violence-ramallah-b631a54e9b2149ce5b66c3aa4fac3732