By Xinhua
Ramallah : Israeli troops early Thursday arrested more than 20 Palestinians during military operations in West Bank cities of Ramallah and Nablus, Palestinian security sources said.
Israeli radio confirmed the detention campaign and said those arrested were suspected of taking part in shooting incidents against Israeli settlements and the killing of a resident near Nablus.
The new detentions came three days after Israel announced it would release over 400 prisoners. Israeli prison authorities said before they are freed the detainees would underpass security checks and would sign a pledge not to conduct “terrorism”.
Israeli premier Ehud Olmert decided to release prisoners as a goodwill gesture towards Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas ahead of a US-sponsored Middle East peace conference to be held Nov 27 in Annapolis, Maryland.