Israeli Forces Raid Duheisha Refugee Camp, Tear Gas Residents

Israeli forces early Monday stormed the Duheisha refugee camp south of Bethlehem in the occupied West Bank during an arrest raid, locals said.

Locals told Ma’an that snipers deployed on rooftops as groups of soldiers surrounded the home of 24-year-old Salih Jueidi, a resident of the camp.

Jueidi’s home was searched before Israeli soldiers detained him. Locals across the camp told Ma’an that they came under heavy tear gas fire as well as live ammunition when military vehicles and undercover forces that raided the camp remained in the area following the arrest.

Several residents of Duheisha were evacuated to the hospital following tear gas inhalation, and military forces stayed in the camp as rush hour began, obstructing travel for students and workers leaving for their morning commute.

Locals said that exams for several students began this week, noting that Israeli military activity often increases during finals.

An Israeli army spokesperson told Ma’an that a Palestinian was detained south of Bethlehem for “involvement in illegal activity.”

At least 25 Palestinians were detained from other areas across the occupied West Bank overnight, 13 of which were confirmed by the Israeli army.

While Israeli military forces routinely carry out search and arrest raids — a weekly average of more than 80 since the start of 2015 — increased numbers of Palestinians have been detained since violence increased in October and continued through December.

Over 2000 Palestinians were detained in October and November, and hundreds more have been arrested this month, according to prisoners’ rights group Addameer.