General strike declared in West Bank cities to protest Israeli violence
Thousands of Palestinians in the West Bank protested against Israel's attacks on Gaza, West Bank, October 18, 2023 (AA Photo)
A general strike has been declared in the Israeli-occupied West Bank cities of Tulkarm and Bethlehem in response to escalating violence by Israeli forces and settlers. Palestinian political groups organized the strike to mourn the deaths of six Palestinians killed in recent attacks.
The strike has brought economic activity, transportation, and the functioning of public and civil institutions in Tulkarm and Bethlehem to a halt. Preparations for the funerals of the six Palestinians are ongoing.
On Monday, five Palestinians were killed in an airstrike by Israeli forces on the Nur Shams Refugee Camp in Tulkarm. In a separate incident, Israeli settlers attacked Palestinian homes in the town of Wadi Rahhal, near Bethlehem, killing one Palestinian and injuring three others.
Since Israel launched its assault on the Gaza Strip on Oct. 7, 2023, there has been a surge in detentions, raids, and attacks on Palestinians in the occupied West Bank and East Jerusalem. A total of 652 Palestinians have been killed in these areas during this period.
