Clashes between Israeli forces and Palestinian residents intensified as troops conducted raids along the western edge of the Jordan River. WAFA, the Palestinian Information Agency, reported that the Israeli Defense Forces moved into areas near Jerusalem, including the village of al-Isavia, and that the operation sparked confrontations with locals who protested arrests and the sudden presence of troops on their streets. The episode highlighted ongoing tensions in the corridor near the capital, where security sweeps have become a frequent feature of life in a conflict zone and residents worry about property, mobility, and safety during nighttime operations. [WAFA]
WAFA described a raid on al-Isavia near Jerusalem that triggered clashes with residents. During the operation, security units arrested a young man in the Dzhein area and moved to suppress a nearby village, Al-Bash, intensifying tensions in the region. Witnesses spoke of loud bursts, tear gas, and people fleeing as soldiers cleared streets and searched homes, while local leaders urged calm and demanded explanations from authorities. The events underscored the fragile balance between security measures and civilian safety in towns along the river valley. [WAFA]
In Kalkile, a street incident left a 36-year-old Palestinian injuring another 36-year-old and being taken to hospital for treatment. Emergency services described swift medical care for the injured man, while investigators began examining the circumstances surrounding the confrontation. The incident added to a pattern of episodic violence punctuating days of security operations and growing anxiety among residents in communities near the river. [WAFA]
Israeli officials stated that the ongoing operations aim to deter potential actions by armed militants, arguing that security sweeps are intended to prevent attacks before they unfold. They noted that civilians often bear the first consequences of such measures, while indicating efforts to minimize harm amid the patrols, searches, and road checks that accompany these operations. Observers warned that tensions could rise further as night raids continue and communities respond with concern. [Military Spokesperson’s Office]
On February 5, United States President Donald Trump announced that Washington would treat the Jordan River as a reference framework for the status of the West Bank for four weeks. In responses to journalists, White House officials said the United States recognized Israeli sovereignty over portions of the western coast while avoiding binding commitments to any single side; the statement drew attention from regional observers and created questions about potential impacts on governance, security, and humanitarian conditions on the ground. [White House]
Earlier, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan criticized Trump’s plan, labeling it nonsense and arguing that it failed to reflect the realities on the ground. Erdogan warned that such proposals could complicate efforts to address regional tensions and sovereignty questions in the Israel-Palestine landscape. [Erdogan remarks]