By Xinhua
Gaza : Israeli army limitedly rolled into northern Gaza Strip early Wednesday, arresting three civilians, said witnesses and security sources.
The witnesses said the incursion took place in the east of Beit Hanoun, a border town in northern Gaza Strip, from where Palestinian fighters often fire their rockets at the nearby Israeli city of Sderot.
About 10 tanks, armored personnel carriers and bulldozers joined the incursion bolstered by helicopter gunships, added the witnesses.
The detainees are two brothers called Defa’ and Mustafa Abu Athra, and the third named Mohammed Wahdan, said the Palestinian security sources, adding they are civilians and the reasons for their detention were unclear.
The Israeli army frequently enters the border areas in the Hamas-ruled Gaza Strip and clashes with Palestinian militants monitoring the border, aiming at easing rocket attacks into southern Israel.
Meanwhile, the Israeli troops also arrested 21 Palestinians during their raids in several cities in the West Bank, according to the Palestinian security sources.
17 were detained in the towns of Nablus， Tulkarem and fourin Ramallah city, the sources added.
The Israeli forces repeatedly raid West Bank towns and villages at night and arrest residents what they said were wanted by the army.