Israeli army injures four Palestinian schoolchildren amid ongoing West Bank offensive

At least 20 Palestinians, including four schoolchildren, were injured during Israeli military raids on Sunday in Nablus and Al-Bireh in the occupied West Bank.

The raids, which took place in broad daylight during rush hour, saw crowds in markets and students returning home from school. A large contingent of Israeli forces stormed and surrounded a house in the Old City of Nablus, opening fire and wounding several Palestinians, including children.

A viral video showed a wounded child crawling on the ground, while another individual could be seen dragging a bloodied person. The injured schoolchildren were aged 15, 16, and 17.

The Israeli forces also raided 20 homes in the eastern market, holding residents hostage for over 20 hours before leaving without making any arrests or offering an explanation for their operation.

During the incursion, a loud explosion was heard, reportedly carried out by Palestinian fighters. However, no casualties were reported from the incident.

WATCH: Israeli army raids Palestinian wedding ceremony in West Bank

Individuals injured by Israeli forces had to wait over an hour for an ambulance, as the military blocked access to medical aid.

Meanwhile, a raid in the Umm al-Sharayet neighborhood in Al-Bireh, near Ramallah, left a Palestinian child injured by metal-coated rubber bullets. Two others suffered from suffocation due to tear gas inhalation. Israeli forces fired rubber bullets, sound grenades, and tear gas during the raid.

Such raids are not uncommon, as Israel continues to harass and attack innocent Palestinians in the occupied West Bank after ceasefire in Gaza.

It is important to note that the Israeli army has intensified its raids in the West Bank following the ceasefire in Gaza in January.

Also check: Israeli settlers 'kill' 16 sheep in Occupied West Bank

Meanwhile, Israeli settlers continue their violence against Palestinians in the West Bank, torching cars and attacking businesses.

According to The Associated Press (AP), Israeli forces have also increased checkpoints at multiple locations, restricting the movement of Palestinians at several crossings during certain hours.

The UN humanitarian agency (OCHA) reported that Israel has established 249 additional checkpoints in the West Bank since the start of its war on Gaza, bringing the total to 793 checkpoints.

These measures have severely disrupted the daily lives of Palestinians, who continue to face restrictions and violence without justification.

Israeli forces also launched offensives in refugee camps in Jenin, Tulkarem, and Tubas, killing more than 30 Palestinians.