Three Palestinians were kidnapped, this morning, from the Aida refugee camp of northern Bethlehem, according to reports by Palestinian security sources.Ahmad Lufti, 27, Mustafa Abu Srour, 26, and Khalil Abu Srour, age 24, were all taken into Israeli custody after forces broke into their homes and searched them.
According to the Palestinian News Network (PNN), forces also broke into the Alazzah family home, in Aida camp, detaining and interrogating all family members before beating photographer Mohammad Alazzah and his brother Abood.
They seized his camera tab, which contained footage of the clashes that have been taking place in Bethlehem.
Confrontations ensued, in which local youth began throwing stones at the numerous Israeli soldiers who had been deployed in the streets. Forces responded with sound bombs, rubber-coated metal bullets and live ammunition.
People were forbidden from walking in the streets, and anyone who went near the windows and balconies of their homes were potential targets, PNN further reports.
See related: Protests in Nazareth and Beit Sahour Against the Israeli Attacks on Gaza
Israeli Forces Open Fire on Hebron Crowd
Palestinians make up the largest refugee group in the entire world.
As of January 2014, there were approximately 5.4 million Palestinians registered as refugees in various regions across the globe, according to UNRWA.
The Bethlehem district, a part of the Palestinian territories which have been illegally occupied by Israel since 1967, is a frequent site of clashes between residents and Israeli forces who continue to harass and impose occupational restrictions on the community.
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More than 500,000 Israeli settlers live in settlements across the occupied West Bank and East Jerusalem, in direct violation of international law, to which Israel is signatory.
Over 800,000 Palestinians have been detained since 1967, with more than 5,000 currently being held in Israeli prisons, by the PLO’s estimate.
