PA security forces disperse protest in Hebron city

Palestinian Authority (PA) forces in the city of Hebron violently dispersed a protest condemning the Israeli military operation and overnight arrests in the occupied West Bank.

The PA forces attacked women, detained a number of protesters, and tried to prevent journalists from filming, local reporters said.

Hamas, the most popular Palestinian faction in Hebron, was named by the PA as one of the organisers of the protests.

Other protests against the Israeli escalation happened in the towns of Nablus, Tulkarem, and the twin cities of Ramallah and al-Bireh.

PA security forces spokesman Adnan al-Dmeiri told a local radio station that "the batons used against Hamas members were not violent tools".

Hamas spokesperson Fawzi Barhum said: "It's a shame that the national security forces are confronting our people as they revolt, and attacking them and so continuing to protect the enemy." 

In the past week, Israeli troops raided Ramallah and declared it a military zone as they searched for Palestinians suspected of carrying out shooting attacks against Israelis.

Ramallah is the seat of the PA government and President Mahmoud Abbas's residence.

PA's security forces "hid" when Israeli military vehicles were present on the streets of Ramallah, local reporters said.

Translation: Palestinian security forces attack women and arrest tens of people while preventing journalists from filming while suppressing a march of Hamas movement in Hebron.