JERUSALEM, Friday, April 3, 2020 (WAFA) – Israeli forces Friday overnight detained five Palestinians, including the Palestinian Authority‘s minister for Jerusalem affairs, from the West Bank districts of Jerusalem and Jenin, said local sources.

Israeli police detained Minister of Jerusalem Affairs Fadi Hidmi after storming his house in the East Jerusalem neighborhood of Suwaneh.

During the raid, police officers leading dogs deliberately smashed the external and internal doors of al-Hidmi’s house and seized 10,000 shekels ($2,800).

Meanwhile, Israeli military vehicles raided Yaabad town, southwest of Jenin, where soldiers detained four Palestinians, including 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.