Israeli prosecutors ask to keep jailed teen in custody

By Eshat Firat

RAMALLAH, Palestine

Israeli prosecutors on Monday asked to extend Fawzi al-Juneidi's detention, according to a lawyer for the jailed Palestinian teenager.

Al-Juneidi, 16, was arrested in the West Bank city of Hebron (Al-Khalil) last week after being dragged on the ground and blindfolded by a dozen heavily-armed Israeli soldiers.

The photo of the blindfolded youth has since become a symbol of ongoing Palestinian protests against U.S. President Donald Trump’s decision earlier this month to recognize Jerusalem as Israel’s capital.

Al-Juneidi sat for a court hearing on Monday at Israel’s Ofter military prison near the West Bank city of Ramallah.

Speaking to Anadolu Agency after Monday’s court session, al-Juneidi's lawyer, Farah Debabse, said Israeli military prosecutors had asked that the teen’s detention be extended pending further investigation.

According to Debabse, prosecutors have “no concrete evidence” in their case against al-Juneidi, who has been charged with throwing stones at Israeli soldiers.

The court has yet to respond to the prosecutor's request, the lawyer said, adding that he planned to submit another request to the court on Tuesday for his client’s immediate release.

According to the Palestinian Prisoners Society, roughly 300 children are currently being held in detention facilities across Israel.

Trump’s controversial decision to recognize Jerusalem as Israel’s capital triggered a wave of condemnation and protest across the Arab and Muslim world.

Jerusalem remains at the heart of the Israel-Palestine conflict, with Palestinians hoping that East Jerusalem -- now occupied by Israel -- might eventually serve as the capital of a Palestinian state.