ISRAELI FORCES DETAIN 3 PALESTINIANS DURING CLASHES NEAR QALQILIYA

Qalqiliya, 24 Dhulhijjah 1436/8 October 2015 (MINA) – Israeli forces detained three Palestinians from a village in the Qalqiliya district of the northern occupied West Bank on Wednesday during clashes in the area, locals sources said.

Israeli troops raided the Qalqiliya village of Azbit al-Tabib between the Kaffr laqif and Baqit al-Hatab areas of the village, firing stun grenades, tear gas, and rubber-coated steel bullets at Palestinians during clashes, detaining three in the area, Maan News Agency  quoted by Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA) as reporting.

However, an Israeli army spokesperson said there were no reports of arrests or clashes in Qalqiliya.

Locals said many others suffered from tear gas inhalation during the clashes.

Israeli troops also deployed forces at the entrance of Jitt village, east Qalqiliya, and set up a flying checkpoint, checking identities.

The forces reportedly pulled back after half an hour.

Israeli authorities have orchestrated mass detention raids in Palestinian towns throughout the occupied West Bank and East Jerusalem following fatal attacks on four Israelis over the past week.

A PLO Executive Committee member Hanan Ashrawi condemned Israel earlier this week for what she termed “collective punishment” by Israel of the Palestinian people following the attacks, warning that current policy could increase tensions and cause the situation to “spiral out of control.” (T/P010/R03)

Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA)