Israeli Forces Raid Al-Ain Refugee Camp in West Bank, Citing Counter-Terrorism

Israeli forces raided a Palestinian refugee camp in the occupied West Bank on Thursday, the military said, describing the operation as an effort to thwart terrorism in the area.

The raid took place at Al-Ain refugee camp near Nablus. Armored vehicles were seen entering the camp, with soldiers moving alongside them. At one point, a soldier was visible atop an armored vehicle equipped with a mounted machine gun.

During the operation, the Palestinian Red Crescent said its crews evacuated a sick person from the camp. Footage from the scene showed paramedics carrying out the evacuation while soldiers directed them.

The raid is part of a broader military campaign launched by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government in January 2025, which has focused on militants in Palestinian refugee camps across the West Bank.

According to the Palestinian Authority's Health Ministry, more than 85 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli settlers and soldiers this year. Israel says some of those killed were involved in terrorism, a category it defines broadly to include militant attacks and rock-throwing. Palestinian authorities do not distinguish between militants and civilians when recording deaths.

Violence between settlers and Palestinians has surged in recent months, with extremist settlers routinely entering Palestinian towns and clashing with villagers, burning homes, mosques and cars.