Israeli army arrests 18 Palestinians in West Bank

Israeli troops stormed West Bank town of Tulkarem on Wednesday morning and arrested a number of Palestinians, security sources said.

At least two members of the armed wing of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas' Fatah movement were arrested by the Israeli army in the ongoing operation, the sources added.

Witnesses said that tens of tanks, armored personnel carriers and bulldozers trundled to the town and its refugee camp in the morning while the soldiers breaking into several houses.

Residents threw stones at the Israeli forces, the security sources said, adding that the troops stationed around the town's hospital and blocked the main road to the hospital.

Israeli troops also surrounded houses of militants belonging to the armed wing of the Islamic Jihad (Holy War) and al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades of Fatah, the sources said.

Earlier at predawn, Israeli sources said the army detained 16 Palestinians in West Bank cities of Nablus and Jenin.

The sources added that a senior Fatah member was among those arrested.

Source: Xinhua