The Israeli army has carried out a large-scale operation in the town of Bindu, in the occupied West Bank, arresting around 50 people, following the killing of an Israeli settler near the Nefe Yuf settlement.
According to Palestinian authorities, the operation was launched after a Palestinian, suspected of involvement in the killing, was wounded by gunfire while trying to flee and was later arrested.
Bindu Mayor Nazmi Mansour said dozens of military vehicles and hundreds of Israeli soldiers entered the town during the evening. According to him, Israeli forces conducted house-to-house searches and set up interrogation points in several seized buildings.
"Dozens, maybe hundreds, of people were questioned. Some were released, but others remain detained and others were arrested," Mansour said.
Israeli authorities said about 50 people had been arrested as the operation continued. An AFP photographer reported seeing Israeli military vehicles on the city's streets, as well as people being detained.
The head of the Israeli army, General Eyal Zamir, had earlier stated that the forces would conduct an operation in Bindu to identify individuals suspected of having helped in the attack. The Israeli army has not yet given a detailed comment on the operation.
The incident occurred in a tense climate in the West Bank, where violence between Palestinians, Israeli forces and settlers has escalated since October 7, 2023.
According to data cited by Agence France-Presse, based on figures from the Palestinian Ministry of Health, at least 1,109 Palestinians, including fighters and civilians, have been killed by Israeli soldiers or settlers since October 7, 2023.
In the same period, according to Israeli data, at least 48 Israelis, including members of the security forces and civilians, have been killed in Palestinian attacks or during Israeli military operations.
