Israeli Raid Paralyzes Life in Biddu Northwest of Jerusalem

Daily activities in the Palestinian town of Biddu have ground to a halt following a major Israeli military operation. Troops conducted widespread raids involving mass arrests and home searches northwest of occupied Jerusalem, disrupting the routine for thousands of local residents significantly.

Large numbers of soldiers and vehicles entered the area to raid homes and set up temporary detention sites. The Jerusalem Governorate confirmed that at least fifty-three Palestinians were taken into custody during the operation, while many houses were searched and damaged extensively.

Biddu Mayor Nazmi Mansour explained that the heavy military presence paralyzed life in the town completely. Shops, public institutions, and schools were forced to close as residents stayed indoors. Soldiers moved from house to house, damaging property and establishing field interrogation centers for questioning.

The crackdown followed a fatal shooting near the Halamish settlement where an Israeli settler was killed. Forces arrested a wounded Palestinian suspect linked to the attack. Earlier raids had seen troops surround a mosque while worshippers were performing their daily prayers inside the building.

This operation adds to existing pressures on Biddu, which has a population of around eleven thousand people. Access to agricultural land, especially olive groves, is severely restricted by the separation wall. Many farmers cannot reach their fields, causing significant economic hardship for local families relying on this income.

Mansour described the raid as part of a broader strategy to pressure Palestinian communities in the region. He urged international intervention to restore freedom of movement and access to land. The incident reflects an intensified campaign of incursions and arrests across the occupied West Bank lately.