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Israel arrests 8 Palestinians in West Bank

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2008-08-19 16:46

RAMALLAH -- Israeli forces arrested eight Palestinians during raids in different areas in the occupied West Bank, Palestinian security sources said on Tuesday.

Six of the detainees were arrested in Anabta neighborhood near Tulkarem city, according to the sources. The Israeli troops entered the neighborhood at around four in the morning, and the people were arrested when the soldiers broke into their houses.

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The other two youths, both aged 18, were arrested in Nablus city during an Israeli military incursion. According to the sources, the two people were also arrested when the soldiers entered their houses.

The Israeli forces also stormed Jenin and Tulkarem cities at early hours Tuesday, but the troops withdrew in the morning without conducting arrests.

The Israeli army storms the West Bank cities almost every night and conducts arrests, targeting people it considers affiliated with Palestinian militant groups and participated in attacks against Israeli targets.

The recent arrests occurred as Israel approved the release of some 200 prisoners as a goodwill gesture to Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas whose forces control the West Bank. Israel holds more than 11,000 Palestinian prisoners.