RAMALLAH, Monday, July 27, 2020 (WAFA) – An Israeli military court has extended the detention of a Palestinian intelligence chief and a Fatah activist, said the Prisoners’ Affairs Commission on Monday.

The Commission announced in a press statement that the Israeli military court of Ofer, a notorious detention facility, extended the detention of chief of the Palestinian general intelligence for Jerusalem district Jihad al-Faqih and Secretary-General of Fatah branch in al-Eizariya town Sami Abu Ghalieh for nine days, citing incomplete interrogation as a pretext.

Al-Faqih, 51, was detained as he was driving his car to his hometown of Qatanna, northwest of Jerusalem, on July 19. Abu Ghalieh was detained during a predawn military raid into his hometown of al-Eizariya on July 24.

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.

Under Israeli military law army commanders have full executive, legislative and judicial authority over 3 million Palestinians living in the West Bank. Palestinians have no say in how this authority is exercised.

K.F.