Israeli forces detained 31 Palestinians, including a university professor, in multiple incursions across the West Bank, the Palestinian News and Info Agency (WAFA) reported.
Palestine Prisoners’ Society (PPS) confirmed in a press release that Israeli forces detained Ahmad Qatamesh, 68, Monday night, after invading his house in Ramallah city.
Qatamesh, a political scientist, and university professor, is known for his writings and lectures, and was designated by Amnesty International as a prisoner of conscience.
Another Palestinian, identified as an undergraduate student enrolled in Birzeit University, was adbucted from the Ramallah city neighborhood of al-Irsal.
According to the PPS statement, another undergraduate student enrolled in Beirzeit University, a resident of Bethlehem district, was detained from his dormitory in al-Bireh city.
In the Ramallah district, Israeli forces stormed Silwad town, east of Ramallah, resulting in the detention of two Palestinians.
Another Palestinian was detained in a similar offensive in Beitunia city, west of Ramallah.
Meanwhile, 15 Palestinians were rounded up from Jerusalem district, from Beit Duqqu town, and Jerusalem neighborhoods of Issawiyeh, Ras al-Amoud and al-Tur.
In Bethlehem district, an Israeli military operation was conducted in Beit Fajjar town, south of Bethlehem, resulting in the detention of three Palestinians, including a 16-year-old minor.
In the meantime, PPS said that five Palestinians, including a 16-year-old disabled person, were detained from Hebron district.
Security sources identified two of the detainees as residents of Hebron city, two others as residents of Beit Ummar town, and another as a resident of Halhul town.
A similar predawn incursion was confirmed in Aqabat Jabr, a refugee camp situated to the southwest of Jericho city, resulting in the detention of one Palestinian.
Israeli forces frequently storm Palestinian homes, virtually on a daily basis across the West Bank on the pretext of searching for “wanted” Palestinians, triggering confrontations with residents.
These inhumane operations take place in areas under the full control of the Palestinian Authority, are conducted with no need for a search warrant, whenever and wherever the military chooses in keeping with its sweeping arbitrary powers.
According to Palestinian figures, roughly 5,700 Palestinians — including numerous women and children — are currently languishing in Israeli detention facilities.
Edited for IMEMC: Ali Salam
