Israeli forces detain Mufti of al-Quds

Israeli forces have raided the house of Grand Mufti of al-Quds (Jerusalem) Mohammed Hussein and detained him, Press TV reports.

Mufti Mohammed Hussein was arrested at his home on Wednesday over suspicions of ‘involvement in Tuesday clashes in Al-Aqsa Mosque,’ a statement by Israeli police said.

The mufti is in charge of al-Quds’ Islamic holy sites including Al-Aqsa Mosque.

Some 100 Israeli settlers accompanied with Israeli forces entered Al-Aqsa Mosque on Tuesday.

Clashes erupted between the Israeli settlers, soldiers and Palestinians following the entry of the Israelis. Several Palestinians were reportedly injured, and several others were arrested.

Also late on Tuesday, sixteen Palestinians were abducted by Israeli forces in the West Bank.

Israeli officials claim the Palestinians were detained for their alleged involvement in security-related offences.

Israel occupied the West Bank as well as East al-Quds (Jerusalem), which Palestinians consider the capital of their homeland, during the Six-Day War in 1967.

The Israeli military regularly raids Palestinians’ houses in the West Bank arresting activists and civilians, mostly without any charges. Many Palestinians remain under detention in Israeli prisons, where they are given minimal access to their basic rights.

Palestinian prisoners have been subject to human rights violations such as torture during interrogations by Israeli prison authorities.