israeli raids settlement
| | | |

Israeli raids, settlement plans deepen West Bank t…

ByJustpaste.in

RAMALLAH: Tensions across the occupied West Bank intensified on Monday as Israeli forces reportedly destroyed water pipelines, detained Palestinians and ordered families to leave their homes ahead of a planned demolition. While a new settlement plan near Jerusalem raised fresh concerns over the expansion of Israeli settlements.

The latest developments have added to growing pressure on Palestinian communities already facing restrictions on movement, damage to agricultural land and disruptions to basic services.

Palestinian human rights activist Aref Daraghmeh said Israeli forces destroyed water pipelines in the Atouf and Ras al-Ahmar areas of Tubas governorate. The areas, located in the northern Jordan Valley, have experienced repeated military operations in recent months.

According to Daraghmeh, agricultural land has been cleared, water networks damaged and artesian wells filled in, causing significant losses for farmers who depend on the land and water supplies for their livelihoods.

The destruction of water infrastructure has particular significance in the Jordan Valley, where Palestinian farming communities rely heavily on limited water resources.

Brothers detained during raid

In another operation in the northern Jordan Valley, Israeli forces detained two Palestinian brothers in the Ein al-Hilweh area, according to local sources cited by Anadolu.

Meanwhile, Israeli troops raided the village of Tell, southwest of Nablus, and ordered residents to leave several homes ahead of the planned demolition of a house belonging to Palestinian Farouq Ramadan.

Ramadan was killed on July 24 during an attack in the village, according to Palestinian sources. They said he had disarmed and killed one of the attackers before being shot dead.

Three other members of his family were also killed and four Palestinians were injured during the incident, the sources said.

Near Ramallah, agricultural land east of Jaljaliya village was also set on fire, Palestinian official news agency Wafa reported. Palestinian civil defence crews later brought the blaze under control.

Village council head Osama Nazmi said an Israeli outpost had been established in the area about a year ago and that Palestinian homes belonging to residents from nearby Al-Mazraa Al-Sharqiya had subsequently been seized.

New settlement plan raises alarm

At the same time, Palestinian officials said Israel had advanced plans for a new settlement containing approximately 650 housing units south of Jerusalem.

The Palestinian Jerusalem Governorate said Israel’s District Planning and Building Committee had deposited the plan for the proposed “Nofei Rachel” settlement.

The project would cover approximately 27 dunams, or 6.7 acres, near Palestinian homes, according to the governorate.

Palestinian authorities warned that the consequences would extend beyond the construction of the housing units, arguing that the development could affect Palestinian movement, urban growth and the ability of local communities to expand.

They described the plan as part of a broader Israeli policy of expanding settlements and restricting Palestinian development.

Israeli rights organisation Ir Amim separately said Israel had advanced three major settlement projects involving more than 3,400 housing units in East Jerusalem in recent weeks.

The developments have renewed international concerns about settlement expansion.

The United Nations and most countries regard Israeli settlements established in territory occupied since 1967 as illegal under international law. Critics say continued settlement construction threatens the possibility of establishing a viable Palestinian state alongside Israel.

West Bank caught in wider conflict

The latest events come as the Israeli-Palestinian conflict continues to reverberate across the region.

According to figures cited by Palestinian authorities, violence in the West Bank has intensified alongside the wider war that began after the October 2023 Hamas attack on Israel.

The situation has also drawn attention to the issue of Palestinian remains held by Israel.

Report: Israel holds 1,700 Palestinian bodies

Israel is holding the remains of around 1,700 Palestinians for possible use in future exchanges, Israeli newspaper Haaretz reported, citing two unnamed sources familiar with recent discussions within Israel’s security establishment.

According to the report, Shin Bet chief David Zini supports retaining the bodies in case Israeli citizens are captured or disappear in the future. The Israeli military is also reportedly supportive of the position.

Haaretz reported that most of the remains are believed to belong to Palestinians from Gaza who participated in the October 7, 2023 attack on Israel or subsequent fighting.

However, the newspaper also reported that some of the bodies belong to Palestinians who were not involved in combat.

The issue has raised legal questions inside Israel. Legal experts cited by Haaretz questioned whether authorities have the power to retain the remains of Palestinians who have not been proven to have taken part in fighting.

The Palestinian National Campaign for the Retrieval of Martyrs’ Bodies and Disclosure of the Fate of the Missing said in October 2025 that Israel was holding around 1,500 bodies of Palestinians from Gaza at the Sde Teiman military facility in southern Israel.

A crisis extending beyond borders

The developments in the West Bank are unfolding against the backdrop of the devastating Gaza conflict.

Palestinian health authorities say tens of thousands of Palestinians have been killed and injured since October 2023, while much of Gaza’s infrastructure has been destroyed or severely damaged.

The reported destruction of water pipelines in the West Bank, the proposed settlement expansion and the continued disputes over Palestinian remains highlight how the conflict affects not only major political centres but also ordinary families, farmers and communities.

For Palestinians living in areas such as Tubas, Nablus and the outskirts of Jerusalem, the immediate concerns are often deeply personal: access to water, the safety of their homes, the ability to farm their land and the uncertainty of what another military raid may bring.

As settlement plans move forward and military operations continue, hopes for a reduction in tensions remain overshadowed by developments that are reshaping the landscape of the occupied West Bank.

Similar Posts

  • | |

    CM Maryam Nawaz orders daily 5am Road cleaning acr…

    ByJustpaste.in

    LAHORE: Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has directed authorities to intensify sanitation efforts across the province, ordering daily early-morning washing of major roads and improved cleanliness in housing societies, markets and residential areas. Chairing a review meeting on the Suthra Punjab programme, the chief minister instructed officials to ensure effective waste management in both cooperative and private housing societies. She also directed the introduction of uniform dustbins and garbage bags in commercial areas, along with fixed schedules for waste removal. Maryam ordered the daily washing and cleaning of main roads at 5am and stressed that sanitation efforts must extend beyond major thoroughfares to streets, neighbourhoods and vacant plots. Authorities were also told to ensure door-to-door garbage collection across Punjab. The chief minister directed that Suthra Punjab workers receive their salaries by the fifth of every month and called for monthly reports to verify timely payments. She also ordered the early clearance of contractors’ outstanding dues and warned of immediate action if delays in workers’ salaries occurred. Special attention was ordered for areas surrounding schools, colleges, universities and hospitals, as well as parks and green belts. Officials were directed to remove discarded bottles, juice boxes and other waste from these locations. Maryam further instructed authorities to improve sanitation around railway tracks in urban areas and ensure that the entry and exit points of cities are cleaned regularly. Deputy commissioners were asked to maintain close coordination with contractors and the managing directors of Water and Sanitation Authorities to monitor progress. The chief minister also called for uniform standards for field monitoring officers and directed that their motorcycles carry proper branding. Standard operating procedures are to be developed to evaluate sanitation performance at every level, from field workers to senior officers, with particular attention to cleanliness in fruit and vegetable markets. She directed that contractors violating sanitation standards should initially be given 24 hours to correct shortcomings before any financial penalty is imposed. “Imposing fines is not our objective; the focus should be on ensuring cleanliness,” she said, while calling for zero tolerance against persistent negligence. The chief minister also ordered regular cleaning of Suthra Punjab vehicles, waste containers and collection points. She praised sanitation efforts in Lahore, Khanewal, Okara, Attock, Kasur and Murree but directed teams in Faisalabad, Sialkot, Sheikhupura and other areas to improve their performance. Maryam Nawaz said the next review meeting would be held the following week to evaluate implementation of the directives and measure progress under the province-wide cleanliness campaign.

  • | | | | | | |

    [OPINION] What America’s AI boom teaches us about scrutinizing Pax Silica

    ByJustpaste.in

    Communities across the United States are already grappling with soaring electricity demand, opaque utility agreements, environmental concerns, and questions over promised jobs. Before Pax Silica breaks ground, if ever, Filipinos should learn from those experiences.

  • | |

    Mystery deepens over 2 girls’ deaths in Lahore p…

    ByJustpaste.in

    LAHORE: The deaths of two young women in police custody have raised fresh questions after their autopsy reports revealed black spots on their lungs and blood clots in their hearts, while failing to find visible signs of physical assault or torture. The two women, identified as Amina and Anmol, died while in the custody of Lahore’s Township police. According to sources, their post-mortem examinations found no external injuries or marks suggesting physical violence. Samples of their blood and internal organs have now been sent for histopathological testing, which is expected to help establish the final cause of death. The autopsies were conducted two days after the deaths and the reports were finalised after the medical board reached a consensus. Doctors found the women’s livers, kidneys and stomachs to be in normal condition, while black spots were observed on both sets of lungs and clots were detected in their hearts. The findings have not yet provided a definitive explanation for the deaths. Authorities are waiting for the histopathology results before determining the final cause. The families of the deceased have meanwhile called for an independent and transparent investigation. Tajamul Hussain, the father of one of the women, rejected the police version that the deaths were linked to a medical condition. He questioned how both women could have suffered fatal heart problems while in custody and alleged that they were killed. Police have denied the allegations. SSP Investigation Naveed Ahmed said the women had previous criminal records and were arrested after a passerby contacted Police Emergency 15 and reported that they had allegedly snatched an earring. The officer also claimed that the women used drugs but firmly rejected allegations that they were tortured or mistreated during their detention. With the histopathology reports still awaited, the investigation is expected to focus on the women’s medical condition, their treatment while in custody and the circumstances leading up to their deaths.

  • | |

    Former Queen bassist Barry Mitchell dies at 80, le…

    ByJustpaste.in

    The Queen family is mourning the loss of Barry Mitchell, an early bassist who played an important role during the legendary rock band’s formative years. Mitchell died on August 17, 2026, according to reports, prompting tributes from fans and people connected to Queen. (The Sun⁠) Although Mitchell was not part of Queen’s classic lineup, his contribution came during a crucial period when the band was still finding its sound. He joined Queen in 1970 after original bassist Mike Grose left. The official Queen live archive confirms that Mitchell played the next 11 shows during the band’s earliest performing days. (Queen Online⁠) At the time, Queen consisted of Freddie Mercury, Brian May, Roger Taylor and Mitchell on bass. The group had not yet become the worldwide rock phenomenon fans know today. John Deacon would join later in 1971 and complete the classic lineup. Mitchell’s time with Queen was brief. He remained with the band for around six months before leaving in early 1971. Reports say he played approximately 13 performances, mostly in the United Kingdom. (The Sun⁠) Even though his time in the group was short, Mitchell was present while some of Queen’s earliest songs were being developed. His period with the band included work around tracks such as “Liar,” “Son and Daughter” and “Keep Yourself Alive,” giving him a unique connection to the band’s beginnings. (Queen Vault⁠) Queen’s official archivist Greg Brooks confirmed the sad news and remembered Mitchell warmly. He described the former bassist’s stories about Queen’s early years as fascinating and said he would be greatly missed. (Edinburgh Live⁠) For longtime Queen fans, Mitchell represented a piece of the band’s history that is often overlooked. Before Queen filled stadiums and produced some of rock’s most famous albums, the group was a young band playing small venues and experimenting with its musical identity. Mitchell later returned to music after spending some time away from the industry. He also remained connected with the Queen fan community, attending conventions and sharing memories from his time alongside Mercury, May and Taylor. (The Sun⁠) His death marks another poignant moment for fans looking back at Queen’s remarkable journey. While Barry Mitchell may not have been part of the lineup that eventually conquered the world, he was there when the story was only beginning. His contribution lasted just months, but his place in Queen’s history will remain part of the band’s extraordinary early chapter.

  • | |

    Fatima Jinnah remembered for inspiring legacy on b…

    ByJustpaste.in

    SIALKOT: Government College Women University Sialkot (GCWUS) commemorated the birth anniversary of Madar-e-Millat Fatima Jinnah, honouring her remarkable role in Pakistan’s independence movement, her commitment to women’s empowerment, and her lasting contributions to nation-building. In a statement issued on Friday, the university described Fatima Jinnah as one of the country’s most influential national figures. Born in Karachi on July 31, 1893, she remained a steadfast supporter of her brother, Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, and played a pivotal role in encouraging Muslim women to actively participate in the struggle for an independent homeland. The university also highlighted her leadership in establishing the All India Muslim League Women’s Committee in 1937, an initiative that helped spread the message of the Pakistan Movement among women across the subcontinent and strengthened their political participation. Paying tribute to her humanitarian efforts, GCWUS noted that Fatima Jinnah also devoted herself to the rehabilitation of refugees and the provision of medical assistance following the creation of Pakistan. The university said her vision, courage, and dedication continue to inspire generations, reaffirming her enduring place in the country’s history as a symbol of patriotism, resilience, and public service.

  • |

    Flash floods cut off lower Chitral

    ByJustpaste.in

    Heavy rains have once again triggered flash floods in the Broz and Gumbas Gol streams of Lower Chitral, causing widespread damage and disrupting road connectivity. The powerful floodwaters swept away the remaining section of Gumbas Bridge, further worsening transportation problems in the area. Flood debris covered the Chitral-Peshawar Road, forcing authorities to suspend traffic. A petrol station also suffered damage as floodwaters rushed through the area. The National Highway Authority (NHA) has deployed heavy machinery to clear debris and restore the road for traffic. Meanwhile, flash floods blocked routes in Baroz Gol and Sheedi village, leaving several communities cut off from the main road network. The flooding has also disrupted communications after the main fibre-optic link was damaged, cutting internet services across affected areas. Thousands of residents remain stranded amid difficult conditions, with limited access to food, shelter and communication. The destruction has spread across a large part of Chitral. Several areas, from Sheshi Koh Valley and Drosh town in Lower Chitral to Mastuj in Upper Chitral, have suffered from damaged roads and disrupted connectivity. Authorities are continuing relief and clearance operations as heavy machinery works to reopen key routes and restore access to affected communities.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *