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BETHLEHEM (Ma’an) -- Israeli military forces detained at least 20 Palestinians overnight Wednesday in arrest raids across the occupied West Bank, Israel's army and locals said.

Israeli forces detained three Palestinians in al-Arrub refugee camp, identified as Luay Saleem Rushdi, 17, and Mahmoud Nidal abu Ghazi,19, and Haitham Zeyad al-Rajabi, 22, firing tear gas at houses during the raid.

Israeli troops raided the camp on the pretext that an explosive device was thrown at an Israeli checkpoint nearby, setting up concrete blocks in the area following the incident.

Soldiers also raided the home of Ahmad Baqueen al-Jaabri, who has been charged with attacking Israeli forces with his car at the Beit Einun junction last month.

Israeli forces took measurements of the house and told the family they would return to demolish it.

Palestinians reported increased restrictions in the Hebron district amid the detentions, with Israeli forces deploying in Halhul, Beit Ola, Turqumiya and blockaded Beit Awwa and Dir Samet with iron gate and cement blocks.

An Israeli army spokesperson told Ma'an that three Palestinians were detained in al-Arrub refugee camp on suspicion of terror activity while four Palestinians, including two Hamas operatives, were arrested in Hebron.

A total of 20 Palestinians were detained across the West Bank, the spokesperson added.
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by IMEMC & Agencies

Israeli soldiers invaded, earlier on Thursday, several Palestinian communities in the occupied West Bank, and kidnapped nine Palestinians in Qalqilia, Jenin and Hebron, including a 10-year old child. Two fishers injured by Israeli navy fire in Gaza territorial waters.

Media sources in the northern West Bank city of Qalqilia, said the soldiers kidnapped four Palestinians in the city, and 'Azzoun nearby town.

The sources said the soldiers invaded and searched many homes in Qalqilia city, and kidnapped Sa’ad Ibrahim Nofal, his brother Adham, and Mohammad Abdul-Latif Walweel, 20.

The soldiers also invaded ‘Azzoun nearby town, searched homes, kidnapped Sinan Ahmad Mojahed Radwan, and detained Mohammad Radwan, and his brother, Samaha, for several hours.

In the northern West Bank district of Jenin, the soldiers kidnapped Abdul-Jabbar Khalil Khabbass, 33, after breaking into his home and ransacking it, in Jilqamous village, east of Jenin. Khabbass is a former political prisoner who was held by Israel for seven years.

In Hebron city, the soldiers kidnapped three children identified as Malek Nader al-Ja’bari, 16, in addition to Mohammad Nidal Abu Ghazi, 15, and Luay Salim Rushdie, from their homes in the al-‘Arroub refugee camp, north of Hebron.

On Thursday morning, the soldiers kidnapped Salah Naji Gheith, only 10 years of age, near the Ibrahimi Mosque, in Hebron, after beating him.

The soldiers also closed all roads linking between Hebron city and its nearby towns and refugee camps, including the southern entrances of the city where the soldiers installed a roadblock, completely closing the road, searched cars and investigated the ID cards of dozens of residents.

The soldiers also closed the Iron Gate, installed on the main entrance of Doura town, and placed concrete blocks closing Tal’at Abu Hadeed area, south of the city.

Roadblocks were also installed in Wadi al-Jouz area, al-Kassara road, in addition to the main entrance of Ethna town, and several other areas.

In related news, armed colonialist Israeli settlers closed the Gush Etzion Junction, south of Bethlehem, preventing all Palestinian traffic from using the road that links between Bethlehem and Hebron. The army also installed a military tower near the junction.

On Wednesday evening, Israeli navy ships opened fire on several fishing boats in Gaza territorial waters, wounding two fishers.

The attack took place near Deir al-Balah shore, in Central Gaza; the two fishers suffered moderate wounds.

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