JERUSALEM, June 12, 2014 – (WAFA) – Israeli forces have been imposing a tight siege on Al-‘Issawiya neighborhood in East Jerusalem for five consecutive days, during which they conducted a large-scale raid and search campaign to residents’ homes and shops, arresting several Palestinians and issuing high tickets on car drivers, said local witnesses.

Soldiers have been using a helicopter forces to locate Palestinian youths and arrest them while undercover forces infiltrated the town. They have fired stun grenades, tear gas canisters and rubber-coated metal bullets, causing several residents and paramedics to sustain injuries and suffer from tear gas inhalation.

According to member of local follow-up committee Ra’ed al-‘Issawi, soldiers broke into several houses, stores and a restaurant, assaulting residents, including women and children, with clubs and pepper-spray before arresting five Palestinians, including a 38-year-old, who was beaten up severally during his arrest.

The injured received medical treatment at a local clinic.

Tensions are still mounting in the town for fear of further assaults as Israeli soldiers are still heavily deployed in the area.

K.F./T.R.