Israeli forces arrest Islamic Jihad leader in West Bank refugee camp

Israeli forces have kidnapped a leader of the resistance movement Islamic Jihad during separate overnight raids on a number of houses across the occupied West Bank.

Palestinian security sources, speaking on condition of anonymity, said Israeli troopers detained 32-year-old Yasin Abu Lafah in Askar refugee camp, which is located on the outskirts of Nablus and more than 50 kilometers (31 miles) north of al-Quds (Jerusalem), early on Monday.

Israeli soldiers also stormed several Palestinian homes in Nablus and kidnapped a number of youths.

Three people were taken away in the city of Jenin, while three teenagers and two women were detained in al-Quds.

During recent months, Israeli forces have frequently raided Palestinians’ homes in the West Bank, arresting dozens of Palestinian people, who are then transferred to Israeli detention centers where they are kept without any charges brought up against them.

There are reportedly over 7,000 Palestinians in 17 Israeli prisons and detention camps. Among Palestinian prisoners behind Israeli bars, there are 18 women, 250 children, 1,500 sick detainees who are mostly in a critical condition, and 540 Palestinians held without any trial under the so-called administrative detention.