Israel arrests dozens of Palestinians, including children, in Negev

Israel arrested dozens of its Palestinian citizens in the flashpoint Negev ("Naqab") Desert region on Tuesday following protests over forced displacement.

Children were among the 41 Palestinians taken into custody in the region, where local families are facing displacement from their land to allow a forest to be planted.

Youths were detained across the Negev and police raided several villages, including Tel Al-Saba, the Arabic-language news site Arab 48 reported, citing witnesses.

At Tel Al-Saba, 12 people were taken into custody, according to the Al-Jarmaq news outlet.

It follows Israeli police disrupting locals' demonstrations against the threatened destruction in Sawah village.

The 41 latest arrests bring the total number of Palestinian Bedouins arrested in the Negev to more than 130 since Monday last week, according to Negev-based activist Riya Al'Sanah.

There are 55 Palestinians, including 11 children, who are still detained, she added.

Lawyers from the Negev and beyond have offered free legal assistance to those arrested.

They have claimed Palestinians are being kept in poor conditions and questioned the fairness of the judicial process.

"Despite being Israeli citizens, who should, in theory, have access to fair legal proceedings, it is clear that detainees are facing structural and systematic racism and discrimination embedded in the Israeli legal system," lawyer Shahda ibn Bari said.

Another, Marwan Abu Frieh asserted: "What's happening in the courts resembles what takes place during interrogations at police stations and detention centers.

"Detention extensions are carried out without any legal justification."

Please don't be mistaken: They don't even pretend it's about trees. In a Jewish supremacist country, it is legitimate to steal land from native Palestinians. It is not legitimate, however, for them to protest against it. pic.twitter.com/IKThKVMrkd

— Sally Abed סאלי עבד سالي عبد🟣 (@sally_abed) January 13, 2022

He said a child aged 14 has had his extension prolonged on three occasions "without justification", adding that "judgments are seemingly handed down without due consideration of facts".

Meanwhile, the Higher Steering Committee for Arabs in the Naqab (HSCAN) slammed Israel's police, accusing them of perpetrating abuses against protesters in the region, the Arabi 21 news website said.

Many Palestinians have been reportedly wounded by Israeli security forces since protests began last week.

Demonstrations will be held by the HSCAN every day to secure the freedom of those being held.

The body has also urged religious leaders to act, including by discussing the Negev's plight at Friday prayers.