Israeli army detains 12-year-old Palestinian in W. Bank

By Qais Abu Samra

RAMALLAH, Palestine (AA) - The Israeli army on Thursday detained a Palestinian child near the West Bank city of Ramallah, according to a local official.

Speaking to Anadolu Agency by phone, Amin Abu Aliya, head of the local council of Al-Mughayyir village (located east of Ramallah), said Israeli military personnel had detained 12-year-old Mohamed Abu Aliya from outside his home in the village.

According to the local official, the child was then whisked off to an unknown location.

“As of now, we don’t know his fate,” he said.

He added that Israeli troops -- firing live ammunition and teargas -- had stormed the village earlier Thursday following fierce confrontations with local youths.

The child had not been taking part in the clashes when he was detained, Abu Aliya said.

Tension has mounted in the Palestinian territories since Dec. 6, when U.S. President Donald Trump recognized Jerusalem as Israel’s capital, triggering protests across the Arab and Muslim world.

In the two weeks since, the Israeli authorities have detained an estimated 500 Palestinians from across the West Bank, including 11 women and scores of children.