RAMALLAH, Wednesday, January 15, 2020 (WAFA) – Israeli forces today detained five Palestinians and ransacked several civilian houses in multiple overnight raids across the occupied West Bank, said the Palestine Prisoners’ Society (PPS).

PPS confirmed in a press release that Israeli forces rounded up two Palestinian brothers after ransacking their houses in Bilin village, located to the west of Ramallah city.

During ensuing confrontations, Israeli soldiers opened fire towards local youngsters who gathered to block the troops’ passage. No injuries were reported though.

In Bethlehem district, PPS confirmed an Israeli military raid into Aida refugee camp, resulting in the detention of a Palestinian.

Security sources elaborated that Israeli military vehicles also stormed Beit Fajjar and al-Ubeidiya towns, located to the south and east of Bethlehem city, where soldiers thoroughly searched several houses, including the family house of a journalist, turning them upside down.

Soldiers also barged their way to the Bethlehem city neighborhoods of Hindaza and Wadi Shaheen, where they inspected the identity cards of pedestrians and checked the recordings of surveillance cameras installed on a local mosque.

Another Palestinian was detained from Nablus district and another from Hebron district.

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.

According to Palestinian figures, roughly 5,700 Palestinians -- including numerous women and children -- are currently languishing in Israeli detention facilities.

K.F.