Salfit: Israel continued to besiege two western towns in Salfit in the northern West Bank for a seventh consecutive day. Palestinians told Anadolu that the army and the illegal settlers have been imposing 'collective punishment' on Bruqin and Kafr al-Dik in Salfit since an attack killed an illegal Israeli settler last week.
According to Anadolu Agency, the army has intensified home demolitions and field interrogations of Palestinians in the towns, under the pretext of searching for the assailant. A young Palestinian was killed Saturday by army fire in Bruqin, according to the Palestinian Health Ministry. Witnesses said 14 vehicles belonging to Palestinians were burned Friday by the illegal Israeli settlers near Bruqin.
The assaults on Palestinians and their properties followed a demand by far-right Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich for the destruction of Bruqin and Kufr ad-Dik as revenge for the attack. Smotrich stated that the towns should be flattened in a similar manner as past military operations in Gaza.
Bruqin Mayor Fayed Sabra told Anadolu that the Israeli army continues to carry out military operations in the towns, including home raids and searches. The actions have resulted in significant damage to possessions and the bulldozing of farmland, with the construction of roads close to homes, suggesting plans for a new settlement.
An Anadolu crew, while documenting the assaults, witnessed the destruction of homes and was detained by the Israeli army in Kufr ad-Dik. They were informed that the town is a 'closed military zone' and were asked to leave after being held for an hour.
Residents of Bruqin, like Ali Sabra and Fatima Umm Amaad, expressed their struggles under siege conditions, with homes searched and essential supplies becoming scarce. Market owner Tayseer Shuaibi noted that the siege has prevented residents from accessing essential needs, including food. Farmer Vajeeh Samara highlighted the challenges posed by movement restrictions, which threaten his livelihood and resulted in his son's temporary detention.
The ongoing conflict has resulted in at least 969 Palestinian deaths and over 7,000 injuries since the start of the Gaza war in October 2023, as reported by the Palestinian Health Ministry. The International Court of Justice declared Israel's occupation of Palestinian land illegal last July, demanding the evacuation of all settlements in the West Bank and East Jerusalem.