Dozens of students and faculty members at Birzeit University in the occupied West Bank were wounded on Tuesday when Israeli forces stormed the campus, triggering a violent response from Palestinian protesters. The assault, which saw live rounds fired, sound grenades thrown, and tear gas used, left 11 people hospitalised with multiple injuries.
Eyewitnesses described the scene as chaotic, with students and staff trying to escape or shield themselves from the barrage of shots. Law student Youssef Sharawneh told Al Jazeera that he was on campus when Israeli soldiers stormed in, throwing sound grenades and shooting live fire. "I handed back my exam paper empty, left my faculty building, and saw them in front of me," he said, recounting the terrifying moment.
The attack has been condemned by Palestinian authorities, with the Ministry of Education and Higher Education calling it a "flagrant and deliberate violation" of international norms. The Birzeit University administration described the assault as a systematic policy aimed at intimidating students, undermining their right to education, and targeting Palestinian consciousness.
The incident comes on the heels of a student event in solidarity with thousands of Palestinian prisoners held incommunicado in Israeli jails. The Israeli military claimed it targeted a "gathering in support of terrorism" at the university, but eyewitnesses disputed this account. Al Jazeera's reporting found that students were peacefully holding an event, not engaging in any violent activities.
The assault has heightened concerns among Palestinians about the safety and security of educational institutions under Israeli occupation. Palestine's Ministry of Education and Higher Education said the attack would not "break the will of Palestinian students or staff," but instead galvanised their resolve to continue resisting Israeli oppression.
Meanwhile, Israel has cleared a key hurdle in its plans to build a controversial settlement project near East Jerusalem. The government tender for the E1 project has been approved, paving the way for construction to begin within the next month. Critics say the project would effectively cut the occupied West Bank into two, making it impossible to establish a contiguous Palestinian state.
The international community has long considered Israeli settlement construction in the West Bank to be illegal and an obstacle to peace. The E1 project is especially contentious due to its location, which runs from the outskirts of Jerusalem deep into the occupied territory.
Eyewitnesses described the scene as chaotic, with students and staff trying to escape or shield themselves from the barrage of shots. Law student Youssef Sharawneh told Al Jazeera that he was on campus when Israeli soldiers stormed in, throwing sound grenades and shooting live fire. "I handed back my exam paper empty, left my faculty building, and saw them in front of me," he said, recounting the terrifying moment.
The attack has been condemned by Palestinian authorities, with the Ministry of Education and Higher Education calling it a "flagrant and deliberate violation" of international norms. The Birzeit University administration described the assault as a systematic policy aimed at intimidating students, undermining their right to education, and targeting Palestinian consciousness.
The incident comes on the heels of a student event in solidarity with thousands of Palestinian prisoners held incommunicado in Israeli jails. The Israeli military claimed it targeted a "gathering in support of terrorism" at the university, but eyewitnesses disputed this account. Al Jazeera's reporting found that students were peacefully holding an event, not engaging in any violent activities.
The assault has heightened concerns among Palestinians about the safety and security of educational institutions under Israeli occupation. Palestine's Ministry of Education and Higher Education said the attack would not "break the will of Palestinian students or staff," but instead galvanised their resolve to continue resisting Israeli oppression.
Meanwhile, Israel has cleared a key hurdle in its plans to build a controversial settlement project near East Jerusalem. The government tender for the E1 project has been approved, paving the way for construction to begin within the next month. Critics say the project would effectively cut the occupied West Bank into two, making it impossible to establish a contiguous Palestinian state.
The international community has long considered Israeli settlement construction in the West Bank to be illegal and an obstacle to peace. The E1 project is especially contentious due to its location, which runs from the outskirts of Jerusalem deep into the occupied territory.
I don't get why everyone's always making a fuss about this stuff... Like, yeah Israel did storm Birzeit University and it was totally wrong, but let's not forget that Palestinians have been protesting against Israeli occupation for years and they're getting increasingly frustrated. The fact is, Israel's settlement plans are super problematic and anyone who thinks they're a good idea needs to take a hard look at history 
.
.
) and sometimes they're going to make decisions that we don't agree with. But can't we try to have a nuanced conversation about this stuff instead of just piling on one side or the other? 
The fact that international norms are clearly not being respected here is just infuriating.
The fact that students were just holding a peaceful event to show solidarity with Palestinian prisoners and they got caught in the crossfire is just... wow 
... Can't we find some kind of middle ground or resolution? It's like we're stuck in a never-ending cycle of violence and unrest 
... Like, come on! We should be supporting peaceful solutions over military actions any day 
...
11 people hurt & it's all cuz of some students protesting for their rights? 
, this Birzeit University attack is so sickening 
. Can't believe Israeli forces just stormed in and started shooting at students and staff like they were nothing 
. I mean, what's the point of even having a university if you can't learn or have your rights respected? 
. And we also need to keep pushing against this settlement project, it's like a huge obstacle for peace 
. I don't think they should have stormed the campus like that, it's just scary for everyone involved 
. The Palestinian people have a right to be educated and express themselves without fear of violence. Hope that the injuries aren't too serious and the students get to continue their studies safely 
I mean, what even is the point of education if you can't do it without feeling like you're under siege? And on top of that, this E1 project just adds fuel to the fire... it's like, how are we supposed to expect a peaceful resolution when one side's just building more settlements and expanding its control over land? 
... can't even go to class without being shot at or gassed 
... and now they're saying it was just a routine operation to intimidate students 
... international norms aren't doing much for these people, are they? 
... cutting up the west bank like it's a puzzle piece 
. Israel has been building settlements for years and it's only getting worse 
.