Key facts
- Israeli forces raided the town of Biddu, northwest of occupied East Jerusalem.
- At least 53 Palestinians were detained.
- Homes were vandalized and damaged.
- Residents reported abuse and assault by soldiers.
- The raid followed the alleged killing of an Israeli settler near Halamish settlement.
Israeli forces conducted a large-scale raid on the town of Biddu, northwest of occupied East Jerusalem, on Monday, detaining at least 53 Palestinians and causing damage to homes. The operation, which involved soldiers turning several homes into temporary detention and interrogation centers, followed the alleged killing of an Israeli settler near the Halamish settlement on Sunday. According to Biddu Mayor Nazmi Mansour, quoted by Al Jazeera, soldiers abused and assaulted residents during searches, leading to schools being shuttered and residents staying in their homes. The Jerusalem Governorate confirmed the detention numbers and reported vandalism and damage to properties. The raid is part of ongoing security sweeps in the occupied West Bank, which has seen an escalation in Israeli military operations and settler violence since October 2023.