Israel detains 22 Palestinian mothers in jails: report

RAMALLAH, March 21 (Xinhua) -- The Palestinian Prisoners' Club said Thursday that Israel is detaining 22 Palestinian mothers of 79 children, out of 45 Palestinian females imprisoned in Israel jails.

It said in an emailed press statement on the occasion of the Mother's Day that the Israeli authorities prevent the 22 mothers from the visits of their children and their family members to prisons.

"Those mothers who are prevented by the Israeli authorities to hug their children are also deprived of contacting them by telephone," said the statement.

The statement added that among the detained females, there are mothers who still need to breastfeed their infants and were sentenced for a long-term of imprisonment.

It accused Israel of targeting the mothers and families of Palestinians killed in the conflict and practicing collective measures against them.