Israel Detains 14 Palestinians in West Bank Raids

Rasa - Israeli forces detained 14 Palestinians in overnight raids carried out across the occupied West Bank, according to the Israeli military on Thursday.

News ID: 436021

Date: 27 January 2018 - 07:44

RNA - The individuals were arrested for "suspected involvement in terrorist activities," the army said in a statement without elaborating, Al-Bawba reported.

According to Palestinian figures, over 7,000 Palestinians are currently held in Israeli prisons, including dozens of women and 300 minors.

Some 450 of these are under what Israel calls "administrative detention" where they face neither trial or charge.

Twelve members of the Palestinian Legislative Council, which in theory serves as a Palestinian parliament, also remain in Israeli custody.

The Israeli army frequently carries out sweeping arrest campaigns across the occupied West Bank under the pretext of searching for "wanted" Palestinians.

US President Donald Trump announced early December 2017 that Washington would be recognizing Jerusalem al-Quds as Israel’s capital, stressing that the United States would relocate the embassy in the occupied lands from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem al-Quds.

The move was hailed by Israel but condemned by the rest of the international community as one which undermines the peace talks.

Washington’s al-Quds move has raised a chorus of outcry across the international community. The Muslim world, the UN, world leaders from Europe to the Middle East to Australia, and even US allies in the West have criticized the bid, saying it would plunge the already tumultuous region into new upheaval.

Heavy clashes also broke out between Israeli troops and Palestinian protesters after Washington's decision in Jerusalem al-Qud's Old City, Hebron (al-Khalil), Bethlehem and Nablus in the West Bank as well as the besieged Gaza Strip.

According to reports, 22 Palestinians were also killed in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank and more than 800 Palestinians were detained by the Israeli forces since Washington’s move to recognize Jerusalem al-Quds as the capital of Israel.

Also, thousands of Palestinians have been wounded by Israeli army's fire during demonstrations against the US President decision to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel.

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