Israeli forces detain 17 Palestinians in West Bank raids

Israeli soldiers have detained 17 Palestinians during overnight raids carried out in several provinces of the occupied West Bank, the army and eyewitnesses said Tuesday.

In a statement, the army said it had detained 10 Palestinians suspected of involvement in "terror attacks targeted [Israeli] security personnel and civilians."

Seven others were detained on charges of being members of Palestinian faction Hamas, the release said.

The detainees have since been referred to interrogation, it added.

Eyewitnesses told Anadolu Agency that Israeli forces had detained seven Palestinians from Al-Arroub refugee camp and the Old City of Al-Kahlil (Hebron) after raiding their homes.

Ten other Palestinians were detained from several places in the northern West Bank cities of Nablus, Jenin and Qalqiliya.

Israeli forces sporadically raid Palestinian homes in the occupied West Bank and detain local Palestinians, claiming the latter are "wanted" by Israeli security agencies.

Over 6,500 Palestinians are currently languishing in prisons throughout Israel, according to official Palestinian figures.