Israeli forces have detained several Palestinian women, including current students and graduates of Birzeit University, during a series of raids in the occupied West Bank, according to Palestinian sources.
The detainees included three current students and one university graduate. Among those arrested was Natalie Abu Diya, a former member of the Palestinian women’s national football team and a student at Birzeit University.
Israeli authorities also detained Rand Halawani, a current member of the Palestinian women’s national football team. Reports indicate that an Israeli court extended her detention until at least June 5. Israeli police said the arrest was linked to an incident in Jerusalem involving objects allegedly thrown at demonstrators.
Family members of one of the detained women expressed shock over the arrest, saying they did not expect the raid to result in her detention. Palestinian organizations have condemned the arrests and described them as part of a broader pattern affecting students and athletes in the occupied territories.
The arrests come amid continuing tensions in the West Bank, where military raids and detentions have increased significantly since the outbreak of the Gaza war in October 2023. Palestinian prisoner advocacy groups say dozens of female detainees are currently being held in Israeli custody.
