At dawn Wednesday Israeli military jeeps and a bulldozer invaded eastern Nablus’ Balata Refugee Camp. Israeli forces imposed curfew, meaning no one could move from where they were at that moment, and helicopters buzzed in circles overhead.
Eyewitnesses report that dozens of Israeli military vehicles flooded from all axes to the street market where an explosive device was detonated.
The Al Aqsa Brigades armed resistance wing later claimed responsibility. The Israeli bulldozer engaged in other acts of vandalism, breaking off facades of storefronts and plowing through the narrow camp streets.
Israeli soldiers imposed a curfew on the camp and further reinforcements arrived at the center of the camp across the valley, setting up temporary military installations in the vicinity of the Old Mosque.
During the early morning invasion Israeli forces arrested 21 year old Ala’ Mohammad Zaid Shraiah and 17 year old Jihad Yousef Zuqan.
Israeli forces raided houses throughout the camp, including Abu Ahmed Abu Sris and Abu Khalid Diate, and Ashraf Abu ‘Al. At the same time additional Israeli forces raided Ras Al Ein Refugee Camp in the Nablus District, overtaking the western entrance. Armed resistance members fought against the invasion, with three resistance groups claiming responsibility for working for the defense.
