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Scene. File. Published by Maan News
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RAMALLAH (Ma'an) – Israeli forces detained at least 27 Palestinians between Tuesday evening and Wednesday morning from across the occupied West Bank, including at least three minors and three women.

Israeli forces carry out detention raids across the occupied Palestinian territory on a near-nightly basis, with the UN recording an average of 95 weekly raids in the West Bank in 2016, and 100 weekly raids on average thus far in 2017.

According to prisoners’ rights group Addameer, 6,500 Palestinians were held in Israeli prisons as of January, including 300 minors and 53 women.

Southern West Bank

Israeli forces raided several areas in the southern occupied West Bank district of Bethlehem, including all three refugee camps located in the city, and detained at least eight Palestinians.

Locals in Bethlehem’s al-Azza refugee camp said an Israeli military raid into the camp to detain Nizar Mustafa al-Najjar sparked clashes between local youth and soldiers who fired tear gas at homes.

An Israeli army spokesperson confirmed one person was detained in al-Azza.

Meanwhile, during a raid into several houses in Duheisha refugee camp, located in the southern part of Bethlehem city, Israeli forces detained former prisoner Yousif al-Lahham.

An Israeli army spokesperson confirmed a detention in Duheisha, claiming he was a Hamas operative.

The Israeli army also said they detained an alleged Hamas operative in Aida refugee camp, identified by locals as former prisoner Omar Azziyeh.

Elsewhere in Bethlehem city, Israeli forces detained former prisoners Walid Daoud al-Bustanji and Iyad Hamim Muhammad. An Israeli army spokesperson confirmed two detentions in central Bethlehem.

West of Bethlehem city in the village of Husan, locals said Israeli forces detained Wassim Raoud Abu Yabis, a detention which was confirmed by the Israeli army.

In the village of al-Ubeidiya east of Bethlehem, former prisoner Khalid Shanayta was detained. An Israeli army said he was a Hamas operative.

South of Bethlehem in the village of Harmala, former prisoner Ismail Khalil al-Zir was detained as well. An Israeli army spokesperson confirmed the detention, and claimed he was a Hamas operative.

A statement released later by the Palestinian Prisoner’s Society (PPS) confirmed the identities of the eight detainees.

In the southernmost West Bank district of Hebron, PPS said Israeli forces detained six Palestinians, identified as Ismail Muhammad Hawamda, his brother Jibril, Iyad Thiab Abu Qbeita, 19-year-old Muatasim Maghalsa, 17-year-old Muhammad Bassam Alami, and 15-year-old Maamun Ahmad Alami.

An Israeli army spokesperson confirmed just one detention in the Hebron district, which she said was carried out in the town of Dura.

Central West Bank

In Ramallah in the central occupied West Bank, PPS said that Israeli forces detained four young men during overnight raids, identified as 25-year-old Yazan Mahir Shata, Muhammad Iyad Zakarna, Ikrima Ayoub, and 15-year-old Suhaib Omar Kharraz.

Meanwhile, earlier on Tuesday evening, Israeli forces detained three young women, identified by PPS as Bayan Safi, Zeinab Barghouthi, and Miran Daghra, at a protest near Ofer prison where at least three others were detained. PPS said the three women were taken to Israel's HaSharon prison.

According to the army spokesperson, three detentions were made in the central West Bank overnight, in Abu Dis, Beituniya, and Yabrud.

Northern West Bank

In Nablus in the northern occupied West Bank, PPS said that Israeli forces detained Musab Hassan Marshoud, Yahya Lutfi Marshoud, Muatasim Ahmad al-Khatib, and Ahmad Khader.

In Tubas in the northern occupied West Bank, Israeli forces detained Hassan Daraghma, PPS added.

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