News / Palestine

Israeli forces nab more Palestinians in southern West Bank

Sunday, 22 November 2015 11:03 AM [ Last Update: Sunday, 22 November 2015 11:03 AM ]

Israeli forces arrest a Palestinian during clashes in the Palestinian neighborhood of Shuafat in East al-Quds (Jerusalem) on October 5, 2015. (© AFP)

Israeli forces have arrested more Palestinians in separate overnight raids on a number of houses in the southern part of the occupied West Bank.

Palestinian sources, speaking on condition of anonymity, said hundreds of Israeli soldiers surrounded Beit Awwa early on Sunday, and military vehicles rolled into the town, west of al-Khalil (Hebron).

Israeli forces then ransacked more than 150 homes and caused excessive property damage before arresting five Palestinians. One of the detainees was a wheelchair-bound young man identified as Mohammad Suleiman Abu Threi’.

More than 100 Israeli troops also invaded Beit Ummar town, northwest of al-Khalil, and kidnapped five Palestinians, including two children.

Head of the Surif Local Council Mohammad Lafi said dozens of Israeli soldiers stormed the town on Sunday morning, and arrested four Palestinians.

In this file photo, Israeli forces violently arrest a Palestinian demonstrator during a protest demanding the reopening of Shuhada Street in the occupied West Bank city of al-Khalil (Hebron). (© AFP)

In al-Khalil, Israeli forces kidnapped 43-year-old Raed Shawkat Mohammad al-Fakhouri and Monjed al-Ja’bari.

Two Palestinians were also arrested in Taffouh town, west of al-Khalil, after Israeli forces invaded and searched their homes.

In Tabaqa village, Israeli forces kidnapped former prisoner Husam Abu Ras, who was released from prison only a week ago.

Palestinian protesters throw stones toward Israeli forces during clashes following the funeral of 26-year-old Palestinian man Shadi Arafa, who was reportedly killed near the illegal settlement bloc of Gush Etzion in the occupied West Bank, in the city of al-Khalil (Hebron) on November 20, 2015. (© AFP)

Tensions in the occupied Palestinian territories have escalated over the past weeks. In August, the Israeli regime imposed restrictions on the entry of Palestinian worshipers into the al-Aqsa Mosque compound in East al-Quds (Jerusalem).

Palestinians are angry at increasing violence by Israeli settlers at the al-Aqsa Mosque compound and their attacks on Palestinian properties, saying that the Tel Aviv regime seeks to change the status quo of the compound.

Last month, senior Hamas leader, Ismail Haniyeh, called the recent spate of clashes between Palestinians and Israeli forces in the occupied West Bank and East al-Quds (Jerusalem), an Intifada (uprising) against the Tel Aviv regime.

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