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JERUSALEM (Ma'an) -- Israeli forces at dawn on Sunday arrested two brothers from the al-Abbasi family after raiding their homes in the neighborhood of Ein Al-Lawza in Silwan, just south of the Old City of Jerusalem.

Ma'an was told that Israeli forces arrested Aid Khalil al-Abbasi, 25, and his brother, Abd al-Rahim al-Abbasi, 30.

The al-Abbasi family explained that a large force of special units and intelligence raided the family home after surrounding the entire area.

They then arrested the two brothers and ransacked Abd al-Rahim al-Abbasi's home.

The family added that Israeli forces searched the land surrounding the al-Abbasi family home as well.

An Israeli police spokesperson told Ma'an he was looking into the incident.

Tensions have continued in occupied East Jerusalem in recent weeks, including Silwan where the Israeli municipality issued five demolition orders to Palestinian homes on Monday last week.

Palestinian neighborhoods of occupied East Jerusalem have seen increasing numbers of settlers, many of which move to the area with the assistance of organizations that facilitate the purchase and takeover of Palestinian homes in an effort to "Judaize Jerusalem."

In October last year, hardline settlers moved into 35 apartments in Silwan, sparking anger and consternation among locals.

Recently re-elected Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu pledged to build thousands of homes for Jewish settlers in occupied East Jerusalem, in order to prevent any territorial concessions that would lead to the establishment there of a Palestinian capital.