Mass Detention in UNRWA School

*Israeli Army Round up of 1000 Men of Askar Refugee Camp in Nablus *Israeli Soldiers Beat Pregnant Woman; Threaten Dog Attacks *Swedish National Detained

Hooded and detained by the IDF.

In Askar Camp, this morning, the UPMRC and International Solidarity Movement, (ISM), activists witnessed Palestinian men between the ages of 16 and 40 being rounded-up by the Israeli army. They were taken to the UNRWA school in the camp and are being held in the classrooms. Similar mass detention and abuse were documented by ISM activists last week in El Ein Camp.

ISM activists attempted to enter the school and assess the condition of the detainees. The were able to bring food and water to a few of the detained men after negotiating entrance with the Israeli soldiers. However, at 8:00a.m. a Swedish National and a Palestinian ISM Coordinator were detained.

The Swedish national was last seen hand-cuffed and blind-folded and being taken away in a military transport truck. A Palestinian ISM Coordinator has been detained along with the hundreds of other detained men in the UNRWA school. In addition, at 2:00pm the Israeli army targeted another ISM coordinator, but did not manage to arrest him.

Also in Askar Refugee Camp three homes have been occupied by the Israeli army. In one home Israeli soldiers beat two Palestinian women, one who is seven months pregnant. ISM activists managed to enter the home of the two women and verified that the pregnant woman had been badly beaten and was in shock. The second woman had been hit in the chest with a gun and threatened with an attack dog the size of a German Shepard. Both women are traumatized and sustained injuries. The two are awaiting ambulances.

For photos of mass round-up and detentions see: http://www.palsolidarity.org/pictures/ismphotos.php

At 1:30a.m., International Solidarity Movement activists witnessed Israeli army tanks surrounding the Old City of Nablus. Israeli military jeeps are patrolling the center of the old city. The Israeli army continues house to house searches, occupation of homes and destruction of property.

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