On Tuesday, 6 January, Israeli occupation forces (IOF) carried out a large-scale raid on Birzeit University campus, in the occupied West Bank. 20 vehicles drove into the campus, destroying its main gate.

IOF fired live bullets at students in West Bank

The IOF then trapped all 8,000 students inside the university, before storming buildings and faculties. They fired tear gas, sound bombs and live ammunition.

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This all happened as students were preparing to hold a peaceful demonstration in solidarity with their classmates. Students who have been abducted by the occupation forces without any charges. Their equipment was seized, and sound bombs were fired at them. The IOF said it carried out the raid to disrupt the ‘pro-terror‘ gathering in the West Bank.

Sharing my day at my university in Palestine under occupation. #Right2Education#TheForbiddenKnowledge#Birzeit_University pic.twitter.com/HqNwad2wuP

— mohammad hureini (@MohammadHureini) January 6, 2026

The IOF injured more than 40 students during their raid. Injuries included gunshot wounds and shrapnel. The vice president for academic affairs — Assem Khalil — was among those arrested according to the university.

Israeli occupation aiming to intimidate students and undermine right to education

In a statement, Birzeit University said:

Storming the campus in broad daylight and transforming it into a military zone reflects a systematic policy aimed at intimidating students, undermining their right to education, and targeting Palestinian consciousness.

Israeli occupation forces have a documented history of conducting raids on the Birzeit University campus. Many students have been abducted and detained in recent years — mostly without any formal charges.

All major Palestinian political parties — and many university student groups — have been classified as either “hostile”, “unlawful” or “terrorist” associations under the Defense (Emergency) Regulations (1945). This means members can be criminally charged for their membership or affiliation to these groups, despite their lawful nature.

Although academic freedom is recognised as a fundamental human right, it is increasingly under threat around the world. The Israeli occupation regularly silences, harasses and arrests students in Palestinian schools and universities — as well as Palestinian and anti-Zionist students in ‘Israel’.

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By Charlie Jaay

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