Israeli retaliation campaign after attack against Israeli bus in East Jerusalem

On September 8, 2 Palestinian gunmen opened fire at Ramot Junction in the illegal Israeli settlement of Ramot Alon in occupied East Jerusalem. Emergency services confirmed that 6 Israeli civilians were killed and 15 injured. Hamas called the attack a “natural response” to Israeli aggression in Gaza and West Bank.

The "Ramot" settlement junction is built on the lands of village of Nabi Samwil, Beit Iksa and Shuafat in the northern occupied Jerusalem. The Geolocation of the assault is 31.808312, 35.204016, a few meters from the green line but inside the West Bank.

In response, IDF arested father & brother of one suspect. Shin Bet detained East Jerusalem man accused of transporting attackers. Several Israeli political figures called to collective punishment, and use dehumanization language and incited to conquest West Bank in the same way than Gaza.

Political Narrative: Israel frames broader measures as security operations (West Bank lockdown, widespread checkpoints, house raids, and arrests across Ramallah, Jerusalem, Jenin, Qabatiya, Tulkarm, Bethlehem.)

Timeline of Events

A. Initial Attack (Jerusalem – Morning, Sept 8, 2025)

B. Immediate Military Retaliation (Same Day – West Bank)

Jenin Refugee Camp:

Residents trying to return home fired upon by Israeli soldiers. They shot & killed two 14-year-old boys (Islam Abdul-Aziz Nouh Majarmeh, Mohammad Sari Alawneh), 2 others were wounded.

Qabatiya (south of Jenin):

Youth were injured by Israeli gunfire. These raids included house break-ins and converting homes into military outposts.

C. Expansion of Military Measures (Throughout West Bank –Afternoon & Evening)

Ramallah & al-Bireh:

A Full siege was imposed, blocking all entry/exit with checkpoints at Atara & Ein Siniya tightened, cars seized and passengers interrogated.

Jerusalem & Surrounding Areas:

The entrances were sealed in Qalandia, al-Jib (north), Tunnel & “300” (south, Bethlehem) and Beit Iksa (west). Idf carried out raids in Qatanna, Biddu and al-Qubeiba: proceeding to arrests, firing tear gas, and preventing of ambulance access.

Qalandia Refugee Camp:

IDF proceeded to field interrogations.

Tulkarm town:

Checkpoints were set up. An iron gate was installed at Jabara Bridge (southern entrance). The Anab checkpoint (east) was closed.

Bethlehem:

A new iron gate was added at Qabr Hilweh (eastern entrance), effectively split northern and southern West Bank.

D. During the nigth (8-9 September)

Beita / Nablus

E. On September 10

F. On September 11

Tulkarm: more dans 1,500 arrested in one day

Israeli Army deployed additional troops and reinforced checkpoints after an explosive device targeted an Israeli vehicle west of the city. Declaring the area a closed military zone, soldiers have arrested dozens of Palestinians from the streets, lining them up and abuse them.

According to journalists in Tulkarm, Israeli forces abductd over 1,500 Palestinians in Tulkarm within 12 Hour during random mass kidnappings targeting anyone moving in the city's streets, and a wide campaign of raids and arrests from inside residential buildings and commercial establishments in various neighborhoods of the city.

Israeli forces abduct Palestinian journalist Alaa Al-Jarad in Tulkarm, northern occupied West Bank, after assaulting him and his wife during a raid on their home.

Statements

IDF statement on X account

The Chief of Staff observing the village from which the attackers set out in Judea and Samaria: "We are here after a very serious attack. I have ordered a full closure of the area from which the attackers came. We will continue a determined and ongoing operational and intelligence effort, pursue the nests of terror everywhere, and thwart the terror infrastructure and its organizers."

Today, Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Herzi Halevi toured an observation point overlooking the village from which the attackers who carried out the attack in Jerusalem earlier today had departed.

The Chief of Staff held a situational assessment in the field together with the Commander of Central Command, Major General Avi Bluth, the Commander of the Judea and Samaria Division, Brigadier General Kobi Heller, the Commander of the Binyamin Brigade, and other commanders.

From the words of the Chief of Staff, Lieutenant General Herzi Halevi: "We are here after a very serious attack in the heart of Jerusalem. I have ordered a full closure of the area from which the attackers came. We will continue a determined and ongoing operational and intelligence effort, pursue the nests of terror everywhere, and thwart the terror infrastructure and its organizers. We must study, investigate, and draw the necessary lessons. We are in the midst of a day of intensive activity across all sectors; we are expanding the operation to defeat Hamas and are acting offensively and proactively everywhere. The terrorist was neutralized by an IDF soldier from the Hashmonaim Brigade and an additional civilian. This is an example of the operational edge expected from IDF soldiers. Great appreciation is due for the composure and determination they demonstrated. I extend my deepest condolences to the families of the victims and wish a speedy recovery to the wounded."

The Hasmonean Brigade is the first all-Haredi combat unit, funded in 2025, and commanded by Col. Avinoam Emunah, based at the IDF Camp Tevetz in the Jordan Valley. Source

On September 9

By leaflet, Israeli Security Minister orders the imposition of sanctions on the residents of al-Qubeiba and Qatanna from which the perpetrators of the Jerusalem operation originated, as well their families, including the demolition of buildings and the revocation of work permits in the occupied interior,prohibiting entry and exit.This is the collective punishment.

On X, Israel Katz, Israel’s Minister of Defense, stated: “This morning I instructed that civil sanctions be imposed on the relatives and villagers of the terrorists who carried out last night’s murderous attack in Jerusalem, and to demolish every building in the villages that is not legal, as well as to revoke 750 work permits and entry permits to Israel. This is in accordance with the recommendation of the security establishment and the Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories, Major General Ghassan Alian.”

On September 9, Al-Qassam Brigades, the armed wing of Hamas, has claimed responsibility for the shooting operation in Occupied Jerusalem that killed at least six Jewish settlers and injured others on Monday morning, saying two of its fighters, Muthanna Omar and Mohamed Taha, carried out the attack “in response to the Israeli occupation’s ongoing crimes against the Palestinian people.” Both al-Qassam fighters were killed in an exchange of fire with Israeli forces.

Retaliation and collective punishment are illegal in International Law

All of Israel’s colonies in the occupied West Bank, including those in and around occupied East Jerusalem, are illegal under International Law, the Fourth Geneva Convention in addition to various United Nations and Security Council resolutions. They also constitute war crimes under International Law.

Article 33 of the Fourth Geneva Convention prohibits collective punishment and acts of terror against civilian populations.

Articles 53 and 147, which prohibit the destruction of civilian property and classify pillage as a war crime.