Occupation military forces raided several towns, villages and camps in the Nablus area on 9 December 2009, engaging in a mass arrest campaign targeting alleged members and supporters of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP), two days before the 42nd anniversary of the Front will be commemorated with large marches and activities throughout Palestine.

PFLP sources noted that the occupation military have ramped up their targeting of the PFLP at a time when their ongoing negotiations with the Palestinian resistance to release prisoners in exchange for captured occupation soldier Gilad Shalit have focused on the release of imprisoned PFLP General Secretary, Comrade Ahmad Saadat.

Maysar Itiani, 45, a human rights activist and advocate for Palestinian prisoners, was kidnapped from Rafidia, west of Nablus, as was her brother Abdel-Nasser Itiani, 38, after the army broke into their homes.

Those kidnapped by the occupation forces, alleged to be supporters of the Front, include Musa Salama, 47, and Wael Abu Al-Sabe, 45, both from al-Jabal al-Shimaly, north of Nablus. The army also kidnapped Ziad al-Salous, who works in the office of Comrade Abdel-Rahim Mallouh, Deputy General Secretary of the PFLP, as he tried to cross Huwarra checkpoint, returning to Nablus from Ramallah.

The occupation forces also invaded al-Ein refugee camp in Nablus and kidnapped a number of young men, labeled supporters of the Front, including Khalid Suleiman, Mohammad Dahbour, Yousef Rajab and Rabie Abu Khalifa, and three teenagers, Rabie Abu Mounir, 16, Saeed Abu Namous, 16, and Mahmoud Teem, 17.

In Awarta, south of Nablus, Nabih Awwad, 47, described as a supporter of the Front who works for the local council, was kidnapped by Israeli soldiers after breaking into his home at 2:00am.

Related Links

• Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine