Ramallah/Tel Aviv, Dec. 5, (dpa/GNA) - A high-ranking Islamic Jihad member is in Israeli military custody, according to Israeli officials, as they continue a series of raids in the West Bank that have, in turn, prompted an ever harsher Palestinian reaction.
Israel officials say Yahi Saadi stands accused of engaging in terrorist activities. His father, Bassem Saadi, was already taken into custody in August, prompting three days of fighting with Islamic Jihad forces in the Gaza Strip.
The militant group is particularly active there and often fires rockets at Israel from the territory, most recently on Sunday. No one has claimed responsibility.
Tensions have run high for months now in the Palestinian territories. A series of attacks on Israelis that began in March prompted the army to boost its number of raids in the West Bank. The confrontations regularly turn deadly.
Israel’s military also staged a raid in Bethlehem on Monday. The Palestinian Health Ministry reported that a 22-year-old died and six were wounded in the incident. There have been calls for a general labour strike in the city.
The Israeli army reported that three terrorist suspects were detained in the raid and said Israeli troops had been pelted with rocks and explosive materials, which prompted them to open fire.
The Health Ministry has reported that 160 Palestinians have died this year amid military deployments, clashes or isolated attacks. In Israel and the West Bank, only 31 deaths have been reported, among civilians and security force members.
GNA