JERUSALEM, Monday, December 23, 2019 (WAFA) – Israeli forces detained 14 Palestinians in multiple overnight raids across the West Bank, said the Palestine Prisoners’ Society (PPS).

PPS confirmed in a press release that Israeli police detained seven Palestinians from Jerusalem district.

Among the seven detainees were four women who were detained from the vicinity of Bab al-Rahma inside Al-Aqsa Mosque compound. They were detained purportedly for obstructing the course of a group of settlers who barged their way into the mosque compound.

Two of the seven detainees were identified as teens who were kidnapped by undercover Israeli forces, known as Musta‘ribeen, from Silwan neighborhood.

In Ramallah district, PPS confirmed an Israeli military raid in Qalandia refugee camp, south of Ramallah, resulting in the detention of a Palestinian.

It said that a similar military raid was conducted in Nilin town, west of Ramallah, resulting in the detention of three others.

In Bethlehem district, Israeli military vehicles raided al-Azza refugee camp, where soldiers rounded up three teens.

Israeli forces frequently raid Palestinian houses almost on a daily basis across the West Bank on the pretext of searching for “wanted” Palestinians, triggering clashes with residents.

These raids, which take place also in areas under the full control of the Palestinian Authority, are conducted with no need for a search warrant, whenever and wherever the military chooses in keeping with its sweeping arbitrary powers.

According to Palestinian figures, roughly 5,700 Palestinians -- including numerous women and children -- are currently languishing in Israeli detention facilities.

K.F.