HEBRON, Israeli forces today and Sunday evening detained nine Palestinians from various parts of the West Bank, according to local sources.

Israeli troops re-arrested two former prisoners, both aged 17, after storming the houses of their families in Beit Ummar town, north of the southern West Bank city of Hebron.

During ensuing confrontations, the heavily-armed soldiers opened fire towards local youths attempting to block their passage, causing dozens to suffocate from tear gas.

The sources confirmed a similar raid in Hebron city, resulting in the detention of another.

In Jerusalem, Israeli police rounded up two minors and assaulted another for raising a Palestine flag in the vicinity of Bab al-Amoud (Damascus Gate) on Sunday evening.

Police also detained two others from Jerusalem’s flashpoint Al-Aqsa Mosque compound. The detainees were identified as residents of Jenin refugee camp.

A former prisoner from the same refugee camp was re-arrested after being stopped at a checkpoint near Qalqiliya city.

In Bethlehem district, soldiers detained another after stopping him at a flying checkpoint in Jannatah town, east of the city.

The detainee was identified as a resident of the nearby village of Dar Salah.

Israeli forces frequently raid Palestinian houses almost on a daily basis across the West Bank on the pretext of searching for “wanted” Palestinians, triggering clashes with residents.

These raids, which take place also 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.

Under Israeli military law army commanders have full executive, legislative and judicial authority over 3 million Palestinians living in the West Bank. Palestinians have no say in how this authority is exercised.

Source: Palestine News & Info Agency