NGO: Israel Detains at Least 80 Palestinians During West Bank Raids

Ramallah (ANTARA) - Israel carried out a mass arrest operation across the West Bank from Friday night until Saturday morning, detaining at least 80 Palestinians, less than a day after four Palestinians and an Israeli were killed in clashes in the town of Tell, south of Nablus.

In a press statement, the non-governmental organisation Palestinian Prisoners Club said those targeted in the operation included former prisoners, adding that most of the recent arrests were carried out in response to actions by Palestinians resisting settler attacks and trying to protect their towns and land.

More than 3,600 Palestinians have been arrested across the West Bank so far this year, the organisation said.

In response to Friday’s clashes, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defence Minister Katz announced a series of measures in a joint statement, including intensifying military operations, setting up more checkpoints in the West Bank, and building new agricultural areas.

Meanwhile, Nablus Governor Ghassan Daghlas said the Israeli military continued to close all entrances to the city and surround it, leaving thousands of Palestinians unable to return to their homes in the northern West Bank.

“Extremist Israeli groups have begun their election campaign at the expense of Palestinians,” he warned, referring to the Israeli parliamentary election for the Knesset scheduled for 27 October.

Ahmed Rafiq Awad, a professor of political science at Al-Quds University, told Xinhua that the coming months would be “dangerous because of the election”, adding that the current Israeli government “protects and supports the settlers, both financially and militarily”.