Israel Arrests 35 Palestinians in Raids ahead of Jewish Holidays

Rasa - Israeli troops have arrested at least 35 Palestinians over the last few days in raids following a spike in violence ahead of upcoming Jewish holidays, officials said Thursday.

News ID: 423804

Date: 22 September 2016 - 17:05

RNA - Israeli police carried out raids in Issawiya and the Shuafat refugee camp in east Jerusalem (al-Quds) over the last two days, arresting 23 people, they said, AFP reported.

"Police operations took place to locate and seize arms and weapons, finding suspects involved in terrorist activity, in riots and criminal activity," a statement claimed, adding that weapons and ammunition had been seized.

Israel's military confirmed 12 Palestinians had been arrested overnight in various parts of the occupied West Bank, including four accused of being Hamas operatives and others suspected of unspecified illegal activity.

The occupied Palestinian territories have been the scene of heightened tensions since August 2015, when Israel imposed restrictions on the entry of Palestinian worshipers into the al-Aqsa Mosque compound in East al-Quds.

Al-Aqsa Mosque is the third holiest site for Muslims after Masjid al-Haram in Mecca and Masjid al-Nabawi in Medina.

The Jewish high holidays in October see an increase in Jewish visitors to the site.

Hundreds of Palestinians, including children and women, have lost their lives at the hands of Israeli forces in what is regarded as the third Palestinian Intifada (uprising) since the beginning of last October.

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