JERUSALEM, Tuesday, January 28, 2020 (WAFA) – Israeli forces today rounded up at least 16 Palestinians and ransacked structures in multiple overnight raids across the West Bank, said the Palestine Prisoners’ Society (PPS).
In Jerusalem district, PPS confirmed that Israeli police rounded up three Palestinians from Jerusalem city.
One of the three detainees was identified as a teen from Silwan neighborhood and another as a girl who was rearrested from the vicinity of Bab al-Rahma prayer area inside flashpoint Al-Aqsa Mosque compound.
PPS also confirmed two separate Israeli military raids in Qatanna and Biddu towns, northwest of Jerusalem, resulting in the detention of two former prisoners.
This came several hours before police rounded up five women from the vicinity of Bab al-Rahma prayer area. Three of the five detainees were identified as Palestinian-Israeli citizens who reside in the Israeli town of Umm al-Fahem.
In Bethlehem district, Israeli military vehicles stormed Tuqu town, southeast of Bethlehem city, where soldiers rounded up two Palestinians.
In the northern West Bank, PPS confirmed a similar predawn Israeli military raid in Tubas city, resulting in the detention of two minors.
Another Palestinian was rounded up in a raid in Baqa Ash-Sharqiya town, northeast of Tulkarem.
Meanwhile, security sources confirmed a military raid in Hebron’s Bab Az-Zawiya area, where gun-toting soldiers broke into several stores, wrecking havoc inside.
In Jenin district, local sources confirmed an Israeli military raid in Barta‘a town, southwest of Jenin city.
During the raid, soldiers broke into four houses, and seized cash and a private vehicle.
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.
