TEL AVIV, November 15. /TASS/. Israeli forces have detained 1,750 wanted Palestinians as part of raids in the West Bank since October 7, 1,000 of them being Hamas activists, the IDF press office reported.

"As of this moment, since the beginning of hostilities [in the Gaza Strip on October 7], a total of 1,750 wanted persons have been detained in Judea and Samaria [Israel’s name for the West Bank - TASS]. A total of 1,000 of them are affiliated with the Hamas terrorist organization," the press office said, adding that 28 wanted persons were detained in the West Bank on November 14.

The IDF press office confirmed that high-ranking Hamas official Hussein Abu Kweik was detained in the settlement of Al-Bireh, adding that "several other high-ranking Hamas figures were detained in the city of Nabulus."

The situation in the Middle East has escalated abruptly after an armed infiltration of HAMAS militants from the Gaza Strip into Israel. The HAMAS movement considers this attack a response to the actions of Israeli authorities towards the Al Aqsa Mosque at the Temple Mount in Jerusalem. Israel announced a complete blockade of the Gaza Strip and started carrying out strikes on the enclave and certain areas in Lebanon and Syria. Clashes are also taking place in the West Bank.