The Israeli occupation forces (IOF) continues to escalate its arrest campaigns in the West Bank, while the aggression on the Gaza Strip continues since October 7, 2023.
The number of Palestinians arrested in the occupied West Bank since October 7 has risen to about 7,040.
On Thursday, February 15, 2024, the IOF arrested 20 Palestinians from the West Bank, including a child and former prisoners.
The arrests were carried out in Tulkarm, Bethlehem, Hebron, Nablus, Jenin, and Jerusalem. The arrests included abuse, severe beatings, and threats to the detainees and their families, in addition to widespread destruction of Palestinian homes.
The detainees were arrested from homes, military checkpoints, surrendered under pressure, while others were held hostage.
Gaza detainees continue to be subjected to enforced disappearance for 132 days following the aggression on Gaza. The Israeli occupation refuses to provide national and international human rights organisations with any information on their fate and whereabouts to date, including the Gaza detainees who died.
The pace of raids and arrests in the occupied West Bank increased, in line with the Israeli occupation’s aggression on the Gaza Strip for 46 days, which left tens of thousands dead and injured.
These arbitrary arrests represent a flagrant violation of the fundamental rights of individuals, including the right to freedom and personal security, and the right not to be subjected to torture or cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment. It also violates the right to personal freedom and the right to a fair trial, as detainees are held without legal evidence and valid judicial warrants.
The international community and human rights organisations must ensure respect for human rights by the Israeli occupation and put an end to these oppressive practices.
