JERUSALEM, Wednesday, February 17, 2021 (WAFA) – Israeli forces Wednesday overnight detained eight Palestinians, mostly from the West Bank district of Jerusalem, according to local sources.

They confirmed that Israeli police rounded up three Palestinians, including a former prisoner who was released just a day ago, after stopping and searching their vehicle in the East Jerusalem neighborhood of al-Tur.

Police also detained two other residents of the same neighborhood; one after stopping and ordering him out of his car at Hizma military checkpoint, northeast of Jerusalem, and the other, identified as a 16-year-old teen, while walking on front of the court building.

Still in Jerusalem district, local sources confirmed an Israeli military raid in Qalandiya refugee camp, north of the city, resulting in the detention of two others.

Meanwhile, a former prisoner was detained at the Israeli military checkpoint 300, north of Bethlehem city, as he was heading back from his work to his house in Dheisha refugee camp, south of the city.

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.

K.F.