RAMALLAH, Wednesday, February 10, 2021 (WAFA) – Israeli forces Wednesday carried out large-scale detention raids across the West Bank, detaining 30 Palestinians, according to local and security sources.
The sources confirmed that Israeli forces rounded up five Palestinians after ransacking their families’ houses in Ein Yabrud town, northeast of Ramallah city.
The soldiers also detained two others after storming and searching their houses in al-Mazra'a ash-Sharqiya town, northeast of the city.
Israeli military vehicles stormed Beitin village, northeast of the city, where soldiers rounded up six others.
In Jerusalem district, Israeli forces re-arrested a former prisoner in a raid in al-Eizariya town, southeast of Jerusalem.
This came as Israeli police detained another Palestinian after breaking into his house in the East Jerusalem neighborhood of al-Issawiya.
In Bethlehem district, Coordinator of the Anti-Wall and Settlement Committee, Ahmad Salah, confirmed an Israeli military raid in al-Khader town, south of the city, resulting in the detention of two former prisoners.
In Hebron district, the sources said that Israeli troops conducted a raid in Sa‘ir town, east of Hebron city, detaining three Palestinians, including a nonviolent activist with the Popular Anti-Wall and Settlement Committees, Khaled Suleiman al-Adra, 50.
The soldiers conducted a similar raid in al-Arroub refugee camp, north of Hebron, resulting in the detention of another.
Meanwhile, Director of the Palestine Prisoner’s Society (PPS) Muntaser Samour said that Israeli forces barged their way into Qabatiya town, south of Jenin, where they detained three Palestinians.
During the ensuing confrontations, the soldiers opened fire toward the local youngsters who attempted to block their passage. No injuries were reported though.
Soldiers forced their way into Kafr Ra‘i town, northwest of Jenin, where they re-arrested a former prisoner.
In the meantime, Israeli soldiers manning Huwara checkpoint, south of Nablus city, detained three Palestinians after stopping their vehicle at the checkpoint.
The detainees were identified as residents of Balata refugee camp.
Two others were detained in separate raids in the Nablus neighborhoods of al-Quds Street and Ad-Dahyeh.
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.
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.
