Israel launches massive dawn raid arrest campaign across West Bank

Dozens of young men were arrested in villages across the West Bank on Thursday morning as Israeli authorities launched a crackdown against an increase in Palestinians protesting.

MENA

1 min read

Robert Cusack

20 July, 2017

Palestine - Raids across West Bank after protests

Israeli forces carried out an operation of mass arrests in the West Bank on Thursday morning, following four days of angry protests across the occupied territories.

Large numbers of Israeli soldiers launched dawn raids in Palestinian villages and towns across the the occupied West Bank, arresting dozens of young men.

One of the biggest campaigns was in the village of Issawiya, where six young men were arrested and their computers were seized.

There has been a big increase in the numbers of Israeli soldiers deployed in the last week, with over 5,000 expected to be on patrol in Jerusalem on Friday.

Palestinian political and religious leaders have called for a countrywide "Day of Anger" on Friday in response to new security measures at al-Aqsa Mosque.

Israeli authorities fitted new metal detectors and security cameras to the entrance to the Aqsa Mosque compound on Sunday in response to a deadly shooting attack on Friday.

Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu said the gates gave Israel "almost complete control over what goes on" in the compound.

Mosque directors and religious leader have all called for a boycott against the new checks and urged worshippers to pray outside the security barriers.