Palestinian security sources and eyewitnesses reported that Israeli forces launched an early morning invasion of the West Bank's Bethlehem Tuesday. Israeli soldiers took six young people to unknown locations during raids conducted by 12 military vehicles and the soldiers inside. Eyewitnesses described Israeli behavior as “aggressive and provocative.”

Israeli soldiers broke into homes in the Wadi Shahin neighborhood, destroyed contents, and arrested Munir Al Khatib. In Tekua Village, to the east of Bethlehem City,  Israeli soldiers arrested two young men. Among them was Ali Jabril. The Israelis raided dozens of houses and forced residents from their homes and into the village square for an hour.

In Al 'Ubeidiya Village to the east of the city Israeli forces arrested Rami Hasasneh and another two young men from the towns of Al Doha and Al Khader in Bethlehem. The six arrestees were bound and blindfolded.

The Coordinator of National and Islamic Forces in the Bethlehem District said that the arrests are part of an ongoing series aimed at maintaining an aggressive campaign against Bethlehem that has escalated in recent weeks. “The occupation has revealed its bad faith and that it is clearly not committed to a 'cease-fire.'”

An Israeli military spokesperson said that the six Palestinians are “wanted,” and will be questioned and investigated. All of them belong to Hamas and Islamic Jihad, according to the Israeli statement issued on Tuesday.