JERUSALEM, May 20, 2026 (WAFA) – Israeli occupation forces launched a large-scale arrest campaign on Wednesday morning, detaining around 20 Palestinians from the town of Hizma, east of occupied Jerusalem.

The Jerusalem Governorate reported that Israeli troops stormed the town, where they detained around 20 residents after raiding their homes and damaging their property.

It added that Israeli forces closed the military checkpoints surrounding the town, preventing residents from entering or leaving the town and blocking secondary roads with earth mounds.

They also distributed leaflets threatening residents with further punitive measures and violations as part of the ongoing policy of collective punishment against the town.

In a related development, the Ministry of Education and Higher Education decided, in light of the continued Israeli raid on Hizma, to suspend classes and postpone exams scheduled for tomorrow to ensure the safety of students and staff.

Y.S