RAMALLAH, West Bank (BN24) — Israeli forces seized approximately $450,000 in what officials described as “terror funds” during a rare and heavily armed raid in central Ramallah on Tuesday, deepening tensions in the occupied West Bank amid ongoing conflict with Hamas.
The early morning operation, which took place in the heart of Ramallah—the administrative capital of the Palestinian Authority—targeted a currency exchange business suspected of channeling funds to Hamas. According to Israeli police, the seized cash, totaling around 1.5 million shekels, was collected in multiple currencies, including U.S. dollars, Jordanian dinars, and euros. Authorities claimed the raid was part of an effort to disrupt financial networks tied to militant activity.
Nine suspects were arrested during the operation, with police saying evidence was recovered linking the business to the financing of Hamas activities. Video footage circulating on social media showed Israeli forces moving through the city’s streets under the cover of darkness, while witnesses reported a significant deployment of troops and armored vehicles in Ramallah’s city center—an unusually aggressive posture in the area.
The Palestinian Red Crescent said 14 people were injured during the raid, including an elderly woman who suffered from tear gas inhalation. Clashes reportedly erupted as residents confronted the Israeli forces, further fueling local outrage.
The raid comes amid a broader escalation of Israeli military operations across the West Bank since the outbreak of the Gaza war in October 2023, triggered by a surprise Hamas assault that led to a prolonged and deadly conflict. The Israeli military has since intensified its presence across the West Bank, targeting what it calls terror infrastructure, weapons caches, and militant financing channels.
According to Palestinian Authority data, at least 972 Palestinians, including both militants and civilians, have been killed in the West Bank since the conflict’s escalation last year. Israeli officials report 36 Israelis have died in the same period due to attacks and violent confrontations.
Tuesday’s operation highlights the widening reach of Israel’s campaign against Hamas beyond Gaza, underscoring the fragile and volatile situation in the West Bank. As the violence continues, Ramallah—traditionally considered a political and administrative center—has now become an increasingly prominent stage in the ongoing conflict.
