Israeli police arrest 15 Palestinians in East Jerusalem

By Abdel Raouf Arnaout

JERUSALEM (AA) – Israeli police rounded up 15 Palestinians in raids on their homes in the town of Issawiya in East Jerusalem early Tuesday, according to local sources.

Police and intelligence agents also summoned seven other Palestinians for questioning, the sources said.

It remains unclear the reason of the arrests or summoning.

Israeli authorities have invited the ire of Palestinian residents in Issawiya in recent months after stepping up raids, arrests and house demolitions in the town.

The Israeli army carries out frequent arrest campaigns across the occupied West Bank -- including occupied East Jerusalem -- on the pretext of searching for “wanted” Palestinians.

According to Palestinian figures, roughly 5,700 Palestinians -- including numerous women and children -- are currently languishing in Israeli detention facilities.