The Israeli army has announced the arrest of Ahed Tamimi, a prominent 22-year-old Palestinian activist, during a raid in the occupied West Bank.
She was arrested on suspicion of inciting violence and involvement in terrorist activities in the town of Nabi Salih near Ramallah. Ahed Tamimi gained international attention at the age of 14 when she was captured on video biting an Israeli soldier to prevent the arrest of her younger brother.
Since the beginning of the Gaza war triggered by a Hamas attack on Israel on October 7, Israeli security forces have conducted numerous arrests of Palestinians suspected of ties to Hamas or incitement of violence.
This period of heightened tensions has resulted in over 150 Palestinian fatalities in the West Bank, with most casualties attributed to Israeli soldiers or settlers, according to the Palestinian health ministry.
Netanyahu Suspends His Minister Who Talked About Nuclear Strike On Gaza
In another development, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu suspended a member of his cabinet who floated the idea that Israel could carry out a nuclear strike on Gaza, where the war with Hamas is inflicting a spiraling Palestinian civilian toll.
According to Netanyahu’s office, the minister concerned – Heritage Minister Amihay Eliyahu, from a far-right party in the coalition government – had been suspended from cabinet meetings “until further notice”.
When questioned in a radio interview about a nuclear option, Eliyahu had replied: “That’s one way.”
His remark drew swift condemnation from around the Arab world, scandalized mainstream Israeli broadcasters, and was deemed “objectionable” by a US official.
“Eliyahu’s statements are not based in reality. Israel and the IDF (military) are operating in accordance with the highest standards of international law to avoid harming innocents. We will continue to do so until our victory,” Netanyahu’s office said.
The League of Arab States said in a statement: “The racist statements of Israeli Minister Eliyahu are revealing. Not only does he admit that they possess a nuclear weapon, but he also confirms the reality of the Israelis’ abhorrent racist view towards the Palestinian people.”
So far, 9,500 Palestinians have been martyred in the war.
The crisis prompted another troubleshooting visit to the Middle East by US Secretary of State Antony Blinken over the weekend.
“Obviously that was an objectionable statement and the prime minister made very clear that he (Eliyahu) wasn’t speaking on behalf of the government,” a senior US State Department official said.
