In the last 24 hours, four Palestinians have died amid violence involving Israeli soldiers in the West Bank. Early this morning, a Palestinian was killed in a refugee camp in Bethlehem as Israeli forces entered and demolished a home belonging to a local family. The preceding day, a journalist named Ghafran Warasna was shot and killed during an encounter with soldiers after allegedly approaching with a knife. Meanwhile, a draft bill in the Knesset seeks to ban the Palestinian flag from state-funded institutions, requiring pre-approval for any display in public spaces.
Since the escalation of violence between Palestinian communities and Israeli authorities, Israeli troops have intensified operations in occupied territories. On Thursday, near Jabad in the northern West Bank, the army reported preparing explosives and carrying out demolitions, including the destruction of a residence linked to the Hamarsheh family. Earlier, a deadly attack in the center of Bnei Brak was attributed to assailants, with the army noting that crowds had hurled stones, set tires on fire, and fired Molotov cocktails at security forces during the response.
Bilal Kabha, age 24, was killed during clashes, and several others were seriously injured as Israeli forces carried out operations in the area. A three-story building that housed multiple families was demolished in the course of these actions. In Dheisheh refugee camp near Bethlehem, residents reported that Israeli forces entered at night to arrest a person suspected of involvement with an explosive device. Ayman Muhaisen, aged 29, died in the resulting exchanges with soldiers.
148 violations against journalists
The death of journalist Ghufran Warasna, 31, drew sharp international attention. The Israeli army issued a statement saying a Palestinian woman with a knife posed a danger to troops stationed at the Arroub refugee camp between Bethlehem and Hebron, a claim Palestinians deny. Warasna had recently started a new position at a local radio station and had been released from prison in April after a three-month confinement.
Her passing echoed the memory of prominent reporter Shirin Abu Akleh, formerly with Al Jazeera. The Palestinian Crescent organization announced that Warasna did not receive medical care in time, and reports indicated she was shot near the heart about 20 minutes before help could reach her. Israeli forces also blocked mourners from reaching the funeral in the refugee camp, using sound devices and tear gas to disperse the crowd. The Journalists Support Committee condemned the events, noting 148 violations against Palestinian journalists occurred in May alone.
During Warasna’s funeral in Hebron, attendees witnessed Israeli forces dispersing mourners with tear gas and loud blasts as the crowd paid respects. A post by Palestinian Days on social media captured the moment and highlighted the ongoing tension surrounding press freedom in the region.
In related developments, a parliamentary bill that would prohibit the Palestinian flag from being displayed in state-funded facilities received preliminary approval in the Knesset. One legislator characterized Arab lawmakers who sponsored the measure as jealous, remarking that they should relocate to Gaza or Jordan. This legislative move stands among the most contentious issues facing the current governing coalition in Israel.