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BETHLEHEM (Ma’an) -- Seventeen Palestinians were detained during predawn raids in the occupied West Bank by the Israeli military on Tuesday, locals and Israel’s army said.

Locals and security sources told Ma’an that Israeli soldiers raided a number of areas in the southern city of Hebron, detaining six.

Forces raided al-Arrub refugee camp north of the city and detained Mahmoud Muhammad Jawabra and Abd al-Karim Muheisin, 17, locals said.

In the town of Dura, resident Khalil Nammura told Ma’an that Israeli soldiers broke into his home after blowing down the main door, and detained his father, Riyad. Namurra added his father had been detained and released the month prior.

Three others were detained from Dura, identified as Ahmad Shahatit, Izz al-Din Abu Rabee, and Nassar Nasser Nassar.

Locals added that Ismail Abu Fanar from the city of Yatta south of Hebron was summoned for interrogation.

An Israeli army spokesperson confirmed four Palestinians detained from the Hebron area, as well as 13 others from across the occupied West Bank.

All were detained for involvement in “illegal activity,” the spokesperson told Ma’an.

The Israeli military regularly carries out search and detention raids in the occupied Palestinian territory, often entering areas under full Palestinian jurisdiction in violation of previous peace agreements.
The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs documented a weekly average of over 90 raids since the start of 2016.

Around 7,000 Palestinians are currently held in Israeli prisons, a number of whom rights groups argue are being held in contravention of international law.

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