VIDEO - ‘Israeli’ forces arrest Palestinian students during West Bank raid

‘Israeli’ forces launched a large-scale arrest campaign in the West Bank today, Sunday, with raids concentrating on Hebron, Nablus, Jenin, and Qalqilya.

Dozens of Palestinians were detained, including academics, university students, and former prisoners. The arrests also included children and women.

Arrests by Location

Hebron: The city saw widespread raids targeting the homes of students from Palestine Polytechnic University and Hebron University. Those arrested included university academic Dr. Khaled Qatouf, student Mariam Salhab, and former prisoners like lawyer Bara’a Ghazal and Tariq Amr.

A number of female university students were also detained, among them Bara’a Karameh, Raghad Mubarak, and Shaimaa Halaika. Dr. Qatouf was arrested after a raid on his home in Yatta, south of Hebron.

Nablus: Arrests were made in the towns of Beita, Burin, Asira al-Qibliya, and Beit Furik. The detainees included two former prisoners from Beita and several young men, including former prisoner Daoud Bani Shamseh and his son, Mohammad.

Jenin: ‘Israeli’ forces arrested a 14-year-old boy from the town of Kafra'i, in addition to another resident from Jenin city.

Ramallah: Yasser al-Rimawi was reportedly severely beaten before being arrested in the town of Beit Rima, northwest of the city.

Other arrests were recorded in Qalqilya (in the town of Azzun), Bethlehem (in the town of Za'tara), and Tubas (in the town of Tammun).

Systematic Targeting of Academics

The widespread campaign reflects a policy of "systematic targeting" of university students and academics, in an attempt to curb student and national activism across Palestinian universities, according to the Palestinian Prisoners' Media Office (Asra Media Office).

Hamas response

Hamas issued a statement condemning what it called a "flagrant violation and systematic abuse" by ‘Israeli’ forces.

The group called the raids, which took place last night, a form of "systematic terrorism."

Hamas called on human rights organizations to document the violations and testimonies of detainees to submit them to relevant international and national courts.