The Palestine News Network (PNN) reported on Wednesday that the Israeli army invaded several areas in the West Bank city of Bethlehem, detaining and kidnapping a number of residents, as well as searched a number of homes after forcing the residents out. Officials in Bethlehem slammed the Israeli invasion and said that this attack is an attempt to disrupt the preparations for Christmas.
The PNN reported that soldiers invaded at dawn Harmala town, east of Bethlehem, and closed all of its entrances. Soldiers invaded the town from several directions, broke into, and searched dozens of homes after forcing the residents out.
Eyewitnesses reported that the army conducted provocative searches and caused damage to the residences
Later on, soldiers kidnapped five residents who were later identified as Rafat Mohammad Al Zeer, 27, Hisham Mohammad Al Zeer, 25, Marwan Yousef Al Zeer, 23, Eyad Ahmad Al Zeer, 24, and Jamal Adel Al Zeer, 22. All were handcuffed, blindfolded, and taken to an unknown destination.
The soldiers also occupied one home after forcing the family out and raised the Israeli flag on top of it.
Furthermore, medical sources reported that Red Crescent medics transferred resident Ziad Al Zeer to a local clinic after he was attacked and beaten by the soldiers who broke into his home.
Soldiers also broke into a military clinic which belongs to the Palestinian security forces and searched it, causing damage.
Also, soldiers invaded Husan town, west of Bethlehem, and forced dozens of shops in the center of the town to close for four hours. The army told storeowners that if they do not leave the area they would be arrested.
Troops broke into a number of homes and searched them; damage was reported, but no injuries.
In al-Asakra town, east of Bethlehem, soldiers kidnapped three residents after invading the town and breaking into a number of homes.
Soldiers closed the entrances of al-Asakra and limited the movement of the residents for at least three hours.
An Israeli military spokesperson claimed that two of three residents who were kidnapped by the army are members of the Islamic Jihad, and that the third is a member of Hamas.
Troops also invaded Abu Njeim village, south of Bethlehem, and kidnapped two youths. Soldiers broke into and searched a number of homes causing damage.
During early dawn hours, soldiers invaded the city of Bethlehem and broke into a number of homes.
Officials in Bethlehem said that this invasion is an attempt to foil all preparations the Palestinian Authority is conducting as the city prepares for Christmas.
Bethlehem Mayor, Dr. Victor Batarsa, accused the Israeli Authorities of disrupting the atmosphere in Bethlehem before the beginning of Christmas celebrations, and added that Israel is attempting to destroy the tourist season in the area.
He demanded Israel to stop its attacks and violations, and added that Israel increased the restrictions and attacks in the area while the residents are preparing for Christmas, despite the hardships inflicted by the occupation.