Israeli Forces Detain Dozens of Palestinians During West Bank Raid

21 September 2026

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BIDDU, OCCUPIED WEST BANK — Israeli forces detained at least 53 Palestinians during a military raid in the town of Biddu, northwest of Jerusalem, according to Palestinian officials.

The operation began early Monday, September 21, and has left parts of the town under lockdown, with schools, businesses and other institutions closed. The Israeli military said the raid followed a shooting near the settlement of Halamish, in which an Israeli settler was killed. According to the military, a Palestinian man suspected of carrying out the shooting was wounded and arrested during a raid at a hospital in Ramallah.

Palestinian officials said Israeli forces subsequently carried out searches across Biddu and detained dozens of young men. Biddu Mayor Nazmi Mansour said soldiers had taken over several homes and were using them as temporary detention and interrogation centres.

“The occupation forces have been conducting a military operation in the town since yesterday,” Mansour said, according to reports. He also accused Israeli forces of abusing and assaulting residents during the searches. The Jerusalem Governorate said at least 53 young men were being held at an interrogation centre established inside one of the homes seized during the operation.

Residents have described an atmosphere of fear as troops remain deployed throughout the town. The raid comes amid continuing violence and military operations across the occupied West Bank. The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs has recorded more than 1,330 settler-related attacks against Palestinians between January and late July 2026.

Palestinian officials and residents have also raised concerns about the wider effect of military raids, arrests and settler violence on daily life, including access to education, businesses and agricultural land. The Israeli military has said its operations are aimed at preventing further attacks and locating people suspected of involvement in violence.

The situation in Biddu remains tense as Israeli forces continue their operations in the town.

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