In the wake of the kidnapping of three Israeli teens last week, the Israeli army began an extensive campaign in the occupied territories. Thousands of soldiers have descended upon cities, towns and villages in the West Bank, including in Area A, as part of Operation Brother’s Keeper.
Photos: Yotam Ronen, Ahmad Al-Bazz, Oren Ziv, Mustafa Bader / Activestills.og, text: Yael Marom
Over 300 Palestinians have been arrested since the operation began, among them Hamas charity workers, Hamas-affiliated journalists and the head of the Palestinian Legislative Council, who is a member of the party. Hundreds of thousands of residents of Hebron remain under closure. Soldiers have raided homes and stores, and have confiscated weapons, computers and security camera footage, leaving behind them a trail of destruction.
Clashes also erupted in many areas of the West Bank. On Friday morning, it was reported that a 13-year-old Palestinian from the town Dura was shot to death after soldiers raided the town.
Israeli soldiers walk during clashes in the West Bank city of Hebron, after the Israeli army raided the city over the last week, June 16, 2014. (Oren Ziv/Activestills.org)
Israeli soldiers from a special army unit raid a Palestinian shop in Hebron. June 18, 2014 (Oren Ziv/Activestills.org)
Israeli soldiers arrest a Palestinian youth during clashes in Hebron. The city is under full closure, June 16, 2014. (Oren Ziv/Activestills.org)
A Palestinian youth sits blindfolded at a checkpoint after being arrested by Israeli soldiers during clashes in the West Bank city of Hebron, June 16, 2014. (Oren Ziv/Activestills.org)
Israeli soldiers stand next to a roadblock near Hebron, June 17, 2014. (Yotam Ronen/Activestills.org)
Israeli soldiers during the fifth day of the operation, Hebron, June 17, 2014. (Mustafa Bader/Activestills.org)
Israeli soldiers check Palestinians at a checkpoint entrance in Hebron, June 17, 2014. (Oren Ziv/Activestills.org)
Israeli soldiers detain Palestinian men at the Gush Etzion junction, a settlement near Bethlehem, June 16, 2014. Over 150 Palestinians were arrested over the last several nights and a tight closure was imposed on the city of Hebron. (Oren Ziv/Activestills.org)
Israeli soldiers stand next to an army bulldozer blocking an entrance to the city of Hebron, June 17, 2014. (Yotam Ronen/Activestills.org)
Right-wing Israelis burn a Palestinian flag and shout racist slogans during an anti-Palestinian demonstration at the Gush Etzion junction, June 16, 2014. (Oren Ziv/Activestills.org)
Israeli soldiers raid the home of a Palestinian family in the West Bank town of Halhul, June 16, 2014. (Oren Ziv/Activestills.org)
Palestinian members of the Al-Naji family check the damage to their home after the Israeli army raided it at the early hours of of June 16, Balata refugee camp, Nablus, June 16, 2014. (Ahmad Al-Bazz/Activestills.org)
Right-wing Israelis shout racist slogans during an anti-Palestinian demonstration at the Gush Etzion junction, June 16, 2014. (Oren Ziv/Activestills.org)
Israeli setters hitchhike stand at the Gush Etzion junction. June 16, 2014. (Oren Ziv/Activestills.org)
Israeli soldiers stop Palestinians at a flying checkpoint at the entrance to the West Bank city of Hebron, June 15, 2014. (Yotam Ronen/Activestills.org)
Israeli soldiers surround the West Bank city of Hebron, June 15, 2014. (Yotam Ronen/Activestills.org)
More on the kidnappings:
Badawi: After indicting Hamas, Bibi declares war on all Palestinians
Omer-Man: Rights groups say response to kidnapping is collective punishment
Matar: Israel’s crackdown moves beyond Hamas militants
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