JERUSALEM, Wednesday, February 20, 2019 (WAFA) – Israeli forces detained last night and this morning at least 40 Palestinians from various parts of the West Bank, including 26 from occupied East Jerusalem, 22 of them arrested last night at Al-Aqsa Mosque during confrontations, the Palestinian Prisoner’s Society (PPS) said in a press statement.
Israeli police attacked Palestinian Muslim worshippers inside Al-Aqsa Mosque compound during a protest against Israeli closing of a section of Al-Aqsa Mosque known as Bab al-Rahmeh and detained 22 worshippers, including the director of the PPS Jerusalem office, Nasser Qaos
Hamza Qutteineh, an attorney, confirmed that 14 of the detainees were referred today to the Israeli Magistrate Court in Jerusalem in order to decide whether to keep them in prison or release them.
Four other Palestinians from the East Jerusalem neighborhood of Eissawiya were also rounded up, said the PPS.
Meanwhile, Israeli military vehicles raided Qalandia refugee camp and al-Eizariya town, north and east of Jerusalem respectively and one from each area.
In Hebron district in the south of the West Bank, PPS said eight Palestinians were detained, six of them from Arroub refugee camp, north of Hebron.
Palestinian security sources told WAFA that Israeli soldiers raided the refugee camp, ransacked several houses, interrogated homeowners and detained six Palestinians, including a 14-year-old minor.
Security sources confirmed another military raid in Halhul town, also north of Hebron, where soldiers searched several houses and detained a Palestinian.
The eighth Palestinian detained in the Hebron district was identified as a resident of Beit Ummar town, north of Hebron. He was detained at a military checkpoint outside Bethlehem.
Security sources confirmed several other raids in Hebron city, where soldiers thoroughly searched the family house of a former prisoner and seized cash money.
In the northern West Bank, a military raid was conducted into Salem village, east of Nablus city, resulting in the detention of a Palestinian.
In Tulkarem district, soldiers detained a Palestinian after storming his family’s house in Shweika area.
In Bethlehem district, Israeli military jeeps stormed al-Doha, south of Bethlehem city, where soldiers detained two Palestinians.
Security sources confirmed that Israeli soldiers fired tear gas canisters and stun grenades during ensuing confrontations, causing a Palestinian vehicle to catch on fire.
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.
K.F./M.K.
