On Tuesday, the Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF), disguised in a civilian vehicle, stormed Ramallah – the largest city in the occupied West Bank – using tear gas and live bullets, with snipers positioned on the rooftops.

They broke into a currency exchange shop in the centre of the city, looting the money and confiscating all the equipment, and arresting several people at the shop:

The IOF opened fire, injuring at least 58 people including children, women, and older people. They brutally assaulted shop owners and threw sound grenades inside stores in the crowded market.

The Palestinian Red Crescent said its medical crews dealt with the following injuries during the IOF raid: eight from live bullets – including a 13-year-old child, 5 from shrapnel, 14 from rubber bullets – including a 71-year-old man, and 31 from tear gas suffocation. Associated Press (AP) photojournalist Imad Saeed, and other journalists were also assaulted.

Israeli Occupation Forces raid Ramallah leaving a trail of devastation

According to Quds Network News, the IOF stole nearly one million shekels, equivalent to more than £200,000, claiming – without evidence, as usual, the business transferred funds to Hamas. The IOF described the raided business, to the Jerusalem Post as:

the last exchange bank in the West Bank that launders terror funds

So it will be interesting to hear what the excuse will be for the next raid on these shops.

Although the occupation has, for years, raided gold and money exchanges, and even banks – with no need for explanations or warrants – this has become routine since October 2023, and the IOF has managed to get away with looting huge amounts, worth tens of millions of pounds. These actions not only help destroy the Palestinian economy, but continue to stamp the occupation’s control over every aspect of Palestinian life, even money.

Although currency exchanges are accused by the occupation of ‘funding terrorists’, the Palestinian Authority denies this. The reality is that these businesses are well regulated and transparent, being licensed by the Palestinian Monetary Authority, which has records detailing every transaction.

Israel tightening its control over Palestine

While the occupation carries out its genocide in Gaza, its army is waging a campaign of violence and destruction across the West Bank, tightening its control over Palestinians, all the while knowing they will not be held to account for their crimes.

In July 2025 alone, the IOF carried out more than 1,300 raids on Palestinian towns and villages – compared to 673 in July 2023.

Many of these places, including Ramallah, are considered to be in Area A, meaning they are in the 18% of the occupied West Bank which, according to the Oslo Accords, is exclusively administered by the Palestinian Authority. But ultimately, the occupation does anything it wants to do.

Featured image and additional images/video supplied

By Charlie Jaay

This post was originally published on Canary.