RAMALLAH, Monday, August 19, 2019 (WAFA) – Israeli forces detained early this morning 27 Palestinians from various parts of the occupied West Bank but mainly from the Ramallah district, including a 69-year-old man from Bethlehem area, said the Palestinian Prisoner Society (PPS) and local sources.
Israeli forces detained at least 16 Palestinians, including two former prisoners, from the central West Bank district of Ramallah and al-Bireh.
Two were detained in Ramallah and neighboring al-Bireh, both considered Area A, which is under full Palestinian control, five others from Silwad town, east of Ramallah, another from al-Mughayyir town and another from Kafr Malik town, both towns to the northeast of Ramallah, two from al-Mazara‘a al-Gharbiya town, another from Sinjil, north of Ramallah, one from Shuqba town, northwest of Ramallah, and three others from Beit Rima town, northwest of Ramallah.
During the unfolding confrontations in Beit Rima, soldiers fired stun and tear gas canisters at local youngsters who attempted to block their passage. No injuries were reported though.
The PPS said two Palestinians were also detained in the northern West Bank village of Usarin, south of Nablus.
In Jerusalem district, undercover Israeli forces, known as Musta‘ribeen, ambushed and detaind three Palestinians, including a 16-year-old teen, from al-Eizariya town, east of Jerusalem.
In Hebron district in the south of the West Bank, Israeli military raided Dura town, south of Hebron, and detained one Palestinian.
In Bethlehem area, soldiers detained five Palestinians, including a 60-year-old man.
Israeli forces carry out frequent raids across the West Bank –including occupied East Jerusalem-- 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.
According to Palestinian figures, roughly 5,700 Palestinians -- including numerous women and children -- are currently languishing in Israeli detention facilities.
K.F./M.K.
