Israeli forces arrest 2 journalists, raid university in West Bank

The Israeli army carried out raids in the occupied West Bank at dawn on Wednesday, arresting two journalists and storming a university.

Israeli forces stormed the Birzeit University campus near Ramallah with at least six military vehicles after forcing the building’s security to open one of the gates, eyewitnesses told Anadolu Agency.

تغطية صحفية| "خلال اقتحامها حرم الجامعة.. قوات الاحــتــلال تدمر وتخرب مقتنيات الأطر الطلابية في جامعة بيرزيت". pic.twitter.com/sz7Ykvjzdx

— شبكة قدس الإخبارية (@qudsn) November 8, 2023

Translation: During their storming of the university campus, the occupation forces destroy and vandalise property at Birzeit University.

It was not immediately clear why they stormed the university.

In Hebron city, the Israeli army arrested journalists Muhammad al-Atrash and Amer Abu Arafa after storming and searching their homes, witnesses said.

قوات الاحتــــلال تعتقل الصحفي محمد الأطرش بعد اقتحام منزله في مدينة الخليل. pic.twitter.com/bdYlajZPif

— شبكة قدس الإخبارية (@qudsn) November 8, 2023

Translation: Occupation forces arrested journalist Muhammad al-Atrash after raiding his house in the city of Hebron.

مصادر عائلية: قوات الاحتــــلال تعتقل الأسير المحرر والصحفي عامر أبو عرفة بعد اقتحام منزله بمدينة الخليل. pic.twitter.com/hUOJKPPYaD

— شبكة قدس الإخبارية (@qudsn) November 8, 2023

Translation: Family sources: Occupation forces arrest former prisoner and journalist Amer Abu Arafa after raiding his house in the city of Hebron.

Israeli forces carried out more arrests in several other towns and villages across the West Bank. Clashes were reported in several locations between soldiers and Palestinians but no deaths were reported.

Israel has stepped up its raids in the West Bank since the start of the war on Gaza on 7 October, the day Hamas carried out a surprise incursion into southern Israel, reportedly killing around 1,400 people and taking more than 200 others hostage.

At least 163 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces and settlers since then in the West Bank, and more than 2,200 others have been detained.

In the Gaza Strip, unprecedented Israeli bombardment has killed over 10,000 people, most of them civilians and children.

Over 30 journalists have also been killed in Gaza amid reports of Israel targetting them.

On Tuesday evening, Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant said Israeli troops have entered Gaza City.