Israeli operation in Qalandiya turns homes into barracks, dozens detained

Israeli army turns homes in Qalandiya refugee camp into military headquarters

Israeli forces launched a large-scale operation at dawn in the Qalandiya refugee camp north of occupied Jerusalem, raiding homes. Many homes were turned into military posts, dozens of Palestinians were detained, and military reinforcements were brought to the area.

Scraper SystemAugust 05, 2026, 11:18 PM

Israeli army turns homes in Qalandiya refugee camp into military headquarters

The occupying Israeli army launched a large-scale military operation at dawn, surrounding the Qalandiya refugee camp and the town of Kafr Aqab north of Jerusalem. As part of the operation, many Palestinians were detained, homes were raided, and some residences were turned into military barracks.

Radi Yaqoub, a member of the Qalandiya Camp Popular Services Committee, said the operation began at 2:00 a.m. and is still ongoing. Yaqoub reported that Israeli soldiers searched homes thoroughly, carried out detentions, turned many homes into military posts, and destroyed household belongings. Yaqoub said, 'So far they have searched every home thoroughly, they did whatever they wanted; no one resisted them or spoke to them.'

Yaqoub rejected the Israeli army's claim that the operation targeted 'terror infrastructure,' saying, 'These statements are malicious and completely baseless; they are merely a pretext to legitimize the occupation's actions.'

Yoram Halevi, the coordinator of Israeli army activities in the Palestinian territories, announced on social media that an operation was launched in Qalandiya camp targeting 'the phenomenon of militants and hostile infrastructure, as well as weapons possession and trade.' Halevi claimed that the movement restrictions and disruption of life imposed on camp residents were 'a direct result of terror activities,' and called on them to comply with the instructions of security forces.

The Jerusalem Governorate reported that many Palestinians were detained and two people were injured during the operation. The governorate stated, 'Occupation forces continue to carry out a wide detention campaign inside Qalandiya camp, while military reinforcements arrived in the area.' With the entry of Israeli forces into the camp, worship was banned in all mosques and strict security measures were imposed.

Since October 7, 2023, when Israel's attacks on the Gaza Strip began, there has been a significant increase in army and settler attacks in the West Bank. During this period, more than 1,182 Palestinians have been killed, approximately 13,000 injured, and nearly 24,000 detained.

The attacks were not limited to loss of life; homes and facilities were destroyed, mosques were set on fire, agricultural lands were bulldozed, farmers were prevented from accessing their lands, Palestinians were forcibly displaced, and settlements were expanded on their land. Palestinians warn that Israel is paving the way for the formal annexation of the West Bank through these attacks, thereby eliminating the possibility of establishing an independent Palestinian state as envisioned in United Nations resolutions.

In 1948, the state of Israel was established on Palestinian lands occupied by armed Zionist gangs, during which massacres occurred and at least 750,000 Palestinians were displaced. The Tel Aviv administration later occupied the remaining territories and refuses to withdraw from them.

Israeli army turns homes in Qalandiya refugee camp into military headquarters