Cancer sufferer and minors among 13 Palestinians arrested by Israel in West Bank raids 

Israeli occupation forces arrested thirteen Palestinians in raids across the occupied West Bank last night, including a cancer patient and two children, reported Wafa news agency.

Abdul Basset Maatan, a teacher suffering from cancer, was detained after Israeli forces stormed into his home based in Al-Bireh, east of Ramallah.

His brother, Zuheer Maatan, told The New Arab that Israeli forces persisted in taking him away, despite his medical condition but allowed him to carry his medicines.

In addition to this, ten-year-olds, Yasser Arafat and Haitham Shukair, were also detained after a raid in their parents’ homes. The reason for their arrest was unclear.

The raids are often conducted without search warrants, in keeping with Israel’s sweeping arbitrary powers.

READ: Prominent writer among ten Palestinians arrested by Israel in West Bank raids

Israeli military vehicles also stormed into Ya‘bad town, southwest of Jenin, where the soldiers rounded up and detained two others, including a former prisoner, identified as Anas Adnan Hamrasheh.

He was brutally beaten while being detained, local sources said.

During the attacks against the Palestinians, the soldiers opened fire at local youths who attempted to block their passage, causing dozens to suffocate from tear gas.

Israeli occupation authorities launch almost daily arrest campaigns in the occupied West Bank, releasing some detainees after interrogation and referring others to court.

Around 4,400 Palestinians are currently languishing in Israeli jails, including 40 women, 170 children and 380 people under administrative detention with no charges or trials.