Homes Burn in Mukhamas as Hizma Stays Sealed – Demolitions, Arrests, and Land Seizures Expand Across West Bank

January 29, 2026 News
Israeli army operations intensify across the occupied West Bank amid escalating settler violence. (Photo: QNN)

By Palestine Chronicle Staff  

Illegal settlers torched homes near Jerusalem as Hizma remained under siege, while raids, arrests, injuries, and demolitions spread across the West Bank amid escalating settlement-driven displacement.

Illegal Israeli settlers set fire overnight to Palestinian homes in the Bedouin community of Khallet al-Sidra, near the town of Mukhamas, northeast of occupied Jerusalem, according to activists and local sources.

Images and videos circulating on social media showed homes engulfed in flames. Activists said the attack marked the third arson incident in or near Mukhamas within three months, accusing Israeli authorities of allowing repeated settler attacks to occur without accountability.

Some posts alleged that Israeli forces were present nearby during the attack and did not intervene. No arrests were reported.

Hizma Sealed for Third Day

The arson attack came as Israeli forces continued a tight siege on the town of Hizma, northeast of occupied East Jerusalem, for a third consecutive day.

Hizma Mayor Nawfan Salah al-Din said Israeli forces briefly lifted the closure at around 5:00 pm Wednesday before resealing the town two hours later. Overnight, Israeli troops raided dozens of homes, damaging property, frightening residents, and converting several houses into temporary military posts.

Several young men were detained and subjected to field interrogations, the mayor said. Hizma was declared a “closed military zone”, barring residents from leaving. The town is home to around 12,000 Palestinians.

Raids and Tear Gas Near Qalandiya

Israeli forces also fired tear gas at Palestinians on Airport (Al-Matar) Street near Qalandia refugee camp, north of occupied Jerusalem, according to WAFA. No injuries were reported.

Israeli troops raided the nearby town of al-Issawiya. At the same time, demolition works continued on land adjacent to the UNRWA Qalandia Training Centre, on property registered as Airport Lands belonging to the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, according to the Jerusalem Governorate.

Israeli occupation authorities said the operations are part of an ongoing campaign north of Jerusalem, including in Kafr Aqab, under what Israel has termed “Operation Capital Shield.”

Widespread Raids Across the West Bank

Israeli forces carried out raids across multiple West Bank locations, including Nablus, Jenin, Tubas, Bethlehem, Hebron (Al-Khalil), Qalqilya, and surrounding towns and refugee camps.

In Nablus, Israeli forces escorted illegal settlers—some accompanied by Knesset members—into Joseph’s Tomb, deploying snipers on rooftops and forcing residents from their homes. A 30-year-old Palestinian was injured after being struck by an Israeli military jeep east of the city, according to the Palestinian Red Crescent. A military explosion was also reported in Beita, south of Nablus.

In Jenin, Israeli forces arrested Hudhaifa al-Saeed and Qais al-Basha during a raid on Qabatiya, WAFA reported.

Complete Siege Imposed on Hizma as Israeli Forces Kill Palestinian South of Jerusalem

Arrests and Property Seizures in Hebron

Israeli forces raided the towns of Sa‘ir and al-Shuyukh, northeast of Hebron, detaining Bilal and Ismail Halaika, brothers of slain Palestinian Qusay Halaika, along with four other residents.

Israeli troops also seized a five-story residential building belonging to the al-Rajabi family in the Jabal Johar area south of Hebron, forcing residents to evacuate and converting the building into a military base. The area was sealed, shops were closed, and residents were subjected to movement restrictions and field interrogations.

Home Demolitions Inside Israel and the West Bank

Inside Israel, Israeli authorities demolished two Palestinian homes in the village of Zarazir in the Galilee, owned by the Jawamis family, one of which was inhabited. Large police forces accompanied the demolition, sealed the area, and prevented residents from approaching. An Israeli helicopter hovered over the village during the operation.

In the occupied West Bank, Israeli bulldozers demolished a factory in Sebastia, northwest of Nablus. Israeli forces also issued a renewed demolition notice for a 165-square-meter home in Jayyous, east of Qalqilya, housing 17 family members, including 10 children, according to WAFA.

Bedouin Communities Targeted

Israeli settlers also attacked the al-Ma‘azi Bedouin community near Jaba‘, northeast of Jerusalem. Local sources said the attacks aim to seize land to expand the Adam settlement and link it with the Binyamin settlement, creating territorial continuity.

The community is home to around 200 Palestinians, including 70 children, living without basic services. Rights groups say Bedouin communities around Jerusalem are being systematically targeted for displacement.

Environmental Violations Documented

The Palestinian Environment Quality Authority reported 685 environmental violations by Israeli forces and settlers in the West Bank during 2025, including attacks on water sources, agricultural land, livestock, and widespread sewage pollution.

The Authority said thousands of trees—mostly olive trees—were uprooted or burned, grazing lands restricted, and untreated sewage discharged into Palestinian valleys, contaminating soil and groundwater.

Since October 2023, Israeli forces and settlers have killed at least 1,110 Palestinians in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, injured more than 11,500, and arrested over 21,000, according to Palestinian figures.

In July 2024, the International Court of Justice ruled that Israel’s occupation of Palestinian territory is illegal and called for the evacuation of settlements in the West Bank and East Jerusalem.

(PC, WAFA, QNN, Anadolu, AL Mayadeen, AJA)

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1 Comment

  1. israel CANNOT STOP the REBELLION-REVOLUTION !!! for EVERY Palestinian arrested, 10 Palestinians JOIN THE RESISTANCE !!! israel IS DOOMED and may the earth LIE HEAVY ON its ACCURSED GRAVE !!!!!

    Reply

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