At least 53 Palestinians detained as Israeli forces raid town near Jerusalem

At least 53 Palestinians detained as Israeli forces raid town near Jerusalem

Israeli forces raided the town of Biddu, to the northwest of occupied East Jerusalem, following the alleged killing of an Israeli settler by a Palestinian from the town near the Halamish settlement in the occupied West Bank on Sunday. 

Soldiers “turned several homes into detention centres and are interrogating dozens of young men”, Al Jazeera quoted Biddu Mayor Nazmi Mansour as saying. 

The Jerusalem Governorate said at least 53 Palestinians were detained in the raids, and homes were vandalised and damaged.

Israeli forces had “abused and assaulted a number of citizens” during searches, Mansour said, with schools shuttered and residents staying in their homes amid the continuing operation.