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NABLUS (Ma'an) -- Israeli forces detained three Palestinians from the Nablus early Thursday.

Witnesses told Ma'an that several Israeli military vehicles raided neighborhoods across the city, mainly in the eastern area.

Two detainees were identified by Palestinian security sources as Jihad Salah Jamil al-Aqra, 19, and Malek Jamil Youssef, 19.

An Israeli army spokeswoman told Ma'an the three were detained for illegal activity.

There were over 6,000 Palestinians detained in Israeli jails as of April 1, 2015, according to the Palestinian Prisoners' Society, however this number continually fluctuates as prisoners are detained and released.

Thursday's detainees were from the Askar al-Jadid camp in Nablus. Residents of the camp are originally from 36 villages in the Lydd, Haifa and Jaffa areas, but were expelled from their homes when the state of Israel was established in 1948.

While residents were placed in the Askar camp facilitated by the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNWRA), severe overcrowding led to the expansion of the camp in 1956 into Askar al-Jadid ("New Askar"). Those living in New Askar face continual hardship, exacerbated by the fact that UNWRA is unable to provide assistance to the residents as the organization does not have jurisdiction to carry out expansion of refugee camps.
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by Saed Bannoura - IMEMC & Agencies

Israeli soldiers kidnapped, earlier on Thursday, one Palestinian near the southern West Bank city of Hebron, and two near the northern West Bank city of Nablus; two more Palestinians shot and injured by army fire near Nablus.

Media spokesperson of the Popular Committee Against the Wall and Settlements in Beit Ummar, north of Hebron, Mohammad ‘Ayyad ‘Awad, said dozens of soldiers invaded the town, and stormed into several homes in Beit Za’ta area.

‘Awad added that the soldiers kidnapped Hammad Ahmad Abu Mariyya, 23 years of age, after searching his home.

The kidnapped Palestinian is a former political prisoner.

In addition, soldiers invaded the ‘Askar refugee camp, east of Nablus, stormed and searched several homes, and kidnapped two teenagers.

The kidnapped have been identified as Jihad Salaheddin al-Aqra’, 17, and Malek Jamil Sharqawi, 18 years of age.

Also on Thursday at dawn, several military vehicles invaded the al-Far’a refugee camp, northeast of Nablus, and clashed with dozens of local youths.

The army fired live rounds, rubber-coated metal bullets and gas bombs; medical sources said Mohammad Bassem Shaweesh, 16, was shot by a live round to the thigh, and Mohammad Jamal Sobeh, 20, was shot by a live round to one of her knees.

Local medics moved the two wounded Palestinians to nearby hospitals for treatment, and provided medical attention to many residents who suffered the effects of tear gas inhalation.

Earlier Thursday, soldiers stormed the home of leftist Palestinian Legislator, feminist figure, legislator Khaleda Jarrar, and kidnapped her.