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by Saed Bannoura - IMEMC & Agencies

[Tuesday, May 13, 2014] Israeli police officers kidnapped two female students in the yards of the al-Aqsa Mosque, in occupied Jerusalem, while Israeli soldiers kidnapped five Palestinians in the West Bank districts of Nablus and Bethlehem.

Local sources in Jerusalem have reported that dozens of soldiers, and police officers, invaded the yards of the al-Aqsa Mosque, harassed several Palestinians, kidnapped two female students of a religious school, and took them to a police station in the city.

The sources added that the arrest came after dozens of Israeli settlers invaded the yards of the al-Aqsa Mosque while chanting anti-Arab and anti-Islamic slogans.

Head of the Al-Aqsa Foundation for Waqf and Heritage, Mahmoud Abu al-‘Ata, stated that the soldiers kidnapped Almatha Nabulsy from Arraba al-Batouf, in historic Palestine, and Mjeda Hawares.

The army claimed the two were chanting “Allahu Akbar”, and moved them to the police station near the Chain’s Gate in the Old City.

Abu al-‘Ata said dozens of soldiers and settlers were deployed in the yards since the early morning hours, and harassed several Palestinians.

He said this attack is part of Israel’s ongoing assaults against holy sites in the occupied city, as well as in different parts of occupied Palestine.

In addition, several Israeli military jeeps invaded the northern West Bank city of Nablus, where soldiers broke into and searched several homes, especially in the center of the city, and kidnapped two Palestinians.

The Palestinian News & Info Agency (WAFA) has reported that the soldiers kidnapped Mojahed Salah Antar, 27, from Sufian Street in Nablus, and resident Tamer ‘Aahed Aghbar, 17, from Khallit al-‘Amoud area, east of the city.

Several military jeeps also invaded Batteer town, west of the West Bank city of Bethlehem, ransacked homes and kidnapped three Palestinians.

The three have been identified as Bassam Omar Abdul-Latif, 23, Mohammad Nasser al-Qaisy, 21, and Hasan Ibrahim ash-Shamy, 19.
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NABLUS (Ma'an) -- Israeli forces detained 11 Palestinians in overnight arrest raids, Israel's army and locals said Tuesday.

In Nablus, several Israeli military vehicles raided the city and detained Salah Addin al-Aghbar, 26, and Ahid Muhammad al-Aghbar, 23, locals said.

Clashes broke out following the arrest.

An Israeli army spokeswoman said 11 Palestinians were arrested overnight. Four were detained in Ramallah, three in Tulkarem, two in Jenin, and two in Nablus, she added.

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