Israeli security forces say they confiscated more than 1.5 million shekels (about $447,000) in what they described as “terror-related funds” during a raid in Ramallah, the administrative center of the Palestinian Authority, on Tuesday.
According to the Palestinian Red Crescent, the operation left at least 14 people injured after troops fired tear gas and spread out across the city’s central districts.
An elderly woman reportedly suffered suffocation from gas inhalation and had to be evacuated.
In a statement issued Wednesday, Israeli police confirmed that border officers and soldiers stormed a currency exchange business allegedly used to channel money to Hamas.
“Forces seized large amounts of cash in local and foreign currencies, including US dollars, euros, and Jordanian dinars, with a total value of 1,528,832 shekels,” the statement said.
The arrest of nine suspects accused of links to militant activities was also reported by authorities. Both the detainees and the seized funds were transferred for further investigation.
Raids across the West Bank have intensified since the Gaza war erupted following Hamas’s October 2023 assault on Israel.
While Israeli forces frequently conduct operations in northern West Bank cities such as Jenin and Nablus, large-scale incursions into Ramallah remain unusual due to its status as the Palestinian Authority’s political hub.
Similar Israeli operations earlier this year and in late 2023 also targeted currency exchange outlets believed to be conduits for Hamas financing.
According to figures compiled from Palestinian Authority sources, at least 972 Palestinians, including fighters and civilians, have been killed by Israeli forces or settlers in the West Bank since the Gaza conflict began.
Over the same period, Israeli authorities report 36 deaths of Israelis, both civilians and security personnel, in attacks or clashes inside the territory.
