Israeli army detains 18 Palestinians in West Bank raids

By Anees Bargouthi

RAMALLAH, Palestine (AA) - The Israeli army has detained 18 Palestinians in overnight raids carried out in the Israeli-occupied West Bank and East Jerusalem, according to a Palestinian NGO.

"Israeli army troops detained nine Palestinians after raiding their homes in the West Bank city of Al-Khalil [Hebron]," the Palestinian Prisoners Society said in a Tuesday statement.

"Another six Palestinians were arrested in the West Bank cities of Ramallah, Tubas and Jenin," it added.

According to the same NGO, Israeli forces on Monday also detained three Palestinian minors in occupied East Jerusalem.

The Israeli army frequently carries out sweeping arrest campaigns in the occupied territories that ostensibly target Palestinians who are "wanted" by the Israeli occupation authorities.

Over 7,000 Palestinians are currently languishing in prisons throughout the Jewish state, according to the Palestinian Ministry of Prisoners’ Affairs.