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BETHLEHEM (Ma'an) -- Israeli forces detained three children in Bethlehem-district village al-Asakira on Thursday evening, a Ma'an correspondent reported.

Troops took Ahmad Hussam al-Moty, 9, Abdul Rahman al-Moty, 12, and Mutaz Asakreh, 13, to an unknown destination, the reporter said.

An Israeli army spokeswoman said she was not familiar with the incident.

A Ma'an reporter said Israeli forces fired tear gas and sound grenades to distract families of the children who were trying to protect them from seizure. The boys were terrified and beaten by troops, he added.

Families in the village called on human rights organizations to intervene, protesting that their children are too young to cope with Israel's brutal treatment.