Israeli forces arrest 5 Palestinians, family

Israeli forces arrested five Palestinians in the West Bank, all teenagers, and an entire family from East Jerusalem, local sources and witnesses said Monday. A large police force and intelligence officers raided the house of Abu al-Homos family in the East Jerusalem neighborhood of Issawiya late Sunday and assaulted the family members before arresting the entire family. The family was taken to the Russian compound detention center in West Jerusalem for interrogation. Forces also arrested two other Palestinians from the same neighborhood. No reason was given for the arrests. In the West Bank , spokesman of the Popular Committee against the Wall and Settlements, Mohammed Awad, told WAFA that Israeli forces stormed the town of Beit Ummar, north of Hebron, raided and searched several houses, using police dogs, and arrested two Palestinian minors age 15 and 16. He added that forces fired tear gas and sound bombs toward homes and the main mosque in the town while worshipers were holding morning prayers. A large military force also stormed the town of Azzoun, east of Qalqilia, firing tear gas and sound bombs and arrested three Palestinian teenagers - two 17-year-olds and one 18 years - after raiding and searching their houses.