Israeli forces launch search in Jordan Valley after West Bank stabbing

Israeli security forces began a comprehensive sweep of the Jordan Valley on Monday following a stabbing attack in the occupied West Bank village of al‑Auja. The incident, which occurred late on Saturday, left a Palestinian civilian seriously injured after an assailant thrust a knife into his abdomen. Local police quickly detained a suspect believed to be linked to the attack, prompting the launch of a wider operation aimed at locating any accomplices and preventing further violence.

The search, coordinated by the Israeli military and border police, has focused on nearby settlements, agricultural fields and known militant hideouts, with checkpoints intensified and patrols increased throughout the area. Israeli officials emphasized that the operation is part of ongoing efforts to maintain security in the Jordan Valley, a region that has seen a surge in confrontations between settlers and Palestinians over the past year. The injured victim was transported to a hospital in Jericho, where he remains in stable condition, while authorities have not released further details about the suspect’s identity or possible motives.