By Palestine Chronicle Staff  

Israeli occupation forces detained dozens of Palestinians, including journalist Alaa Al-Rimawi, as settlers attacked homes, farmland, and water infrastructure across the West Bank.

Key Takeaways

• Israeli occupation forces arrested journalist Alaa al-Rimawi in Al-Bireh and at least 23 Palestinians in Hajja during widespread raids across the occupied West Bank.
• Occupation forces raided communities from Jenin to Bethlehem, converted Palestinian homes into military posts and subjected dozens of Palestinians to field interrogations.
• Illegal Israeli Jewish settlers burned a home and agricultural structure, damaged electricity and water infrastructure, attacked Palestinians and continued bulldozing Palestinian land.

Journalist Arrested amid Widespread Raids

Israeli occupation forces launched widespread raids and arrests across the occupied West Bank on Thursday, detaining dozens of Palestinians, including prominent journalist Alaa Al-Rimawi.

Occupation troops raided a residential building in the Al-Masayef neighborhood of Al-Bireh and arrested Al-Rimawi after storming his home, according to his family and Palestinian media.

Al-Rimawi previously worked as a correspondent for Al-Jazeera Mubasher and managed the G Media network. His latest arrest came less than a year after his release on October 7, 2025, following two years in administrative detention.

Israeli occupation forces had also arrested Al-Rimawi in April 2021. He was held in administrative detention before being released approximately six weeks later following a hunger strike.

In Qalqilya Governorate, Israeli occupation forces arrested at least 23 Palestinians during a major raid on Hajja, east of the city, according to Quds News Network.

Occupation forces also entered Baqa al-Hatab, while the Palestinian Red Crescent Society reported that a Palestinian was wounded by live ammunition elsewhere in Qalqilya Governorate. Another Palestinian with a disability suffered breathing difficulties after inhaling tear gas.

Breaking | Occupation forces arrest journalist Alaa Al-Rimawi, founder of the ‘Concession to God’ initiative, from his home in the city of Al-Bireh in the central West Bank. pic.twitter.com/4NEGr89hfx

— Eye on Palestine (@EyeonPalestine) September 17, 2026

Homes Turned into Military Posts

In Nablus, Israeli military vehicles entered the city through the Deir Sharaf checkpoint before forces deployed around Al-Ain refugee camp.

Troops raided and searched homes, detained Palestinians for field interrogation and forced one family to evacuate its house before converting it into a military post, according to local sources.

Israeli occupation forces also closed the road surrounding the camp, prompting nearby private schools and kindergartens to suspend classes over concerns for students’ safety.

Anadolu news agency reported that several Palestinians were arrested during the Nablus raid, including a girl and her father from the Al-Masimi family. Occupation forces later raided homes in Kafr Qalil, south of Nablus.

In Jenin Governorate, troops entered Silat al-Harithiya, Zababdeh and Ya’bad, arresting brothers Karam and Joud Rafiq Badarna in Ya’bad.

Raids were also reported in Allar, Saida and Bal’a in Tulkarm Governorate. In Allar and Saida, Israeli forces converted two Palestinian homes into military posts.

Israeli occupation forces additionally raided Birzeit and Kobar near Ramallah, a home in the Jabal al-Nawawra area east of Bethlehem, and Shuafat refugee camp and Anata in occupied Jerusalem.

In Abu Dis, east of Jerusalem, Israeli occupation forces detained dozens of young Palestinians and subjected them to field interrogation inside the Abu Dis club before damaging its contents, according to QNN.

Settlers Burn Home, Target Water and Farmland

The military raids coincided with widespread attacks by illegal Israeli Jewish settlers against Palestinian communities, property and agricultural land.

In Tuwana, Masafer Yatta, illegal settlers operating under Israeli military protection burned a Palestinian home and an agricultural structure and sprayed racist slogans, according to local sources.

Settlers also cut and burned the main electricity cable supplying Wadi al-Rakheem, causing a power outage.

Israeli settlers set fire to a Palestinian land in Burqa village, east of Ramallah, in the occupied West Bank. pic.twitter.com/MYZDBNxacp

— Quds News Network (@QudsNen) September 17, 2026

Near Bethlehem, illegal Israeli settlers attacked the vehicle of Palestinian Muhammad Hussein Hijazi in Abu Njeim and sprayed him with pepper spray, causing breathing difficulties.

In Beita, south of Nablus, illegal settlers attacked a Palestinian sheep enclosure before local residents confronted them.

Settlers accompanied by excavators and bulldozers continued bulldozing Palestinian land and constructing roads in the Zabda area of Ni’lin, west of Ramallah, for a third consecutive day.

In the northern Yarza community east of Tubas, Israeli settlers cut water lines and emptied a collection well used by Palestinians for household needs and livestock. They also damaged crops belonging to Palestinian farmer Jihad Masa’id.

(PC, QNN, AA)