Israeli troops arrest 30 Palestinians in West Bank

Source: Xinhuanet | 12-06-2006 18:41

RAMALLAH, Dec. 6 (Xinhua) -- Israeli troops carried out one of the biggest arrest campaign in the West Bank at predawn on Wednesday, detaining 30 Palestinians, Palestinian security sources said.

The sources said that most of the detained were taken away from northern West Bank city of Jenin when at least 50 military vehicles stormed the area.

Israel to retaliate if fragile ceasefire broken. Full Story >>

Apart from those activists involving in attacks against Israeli army, relatives of the wanted militants were also among the detained, according to the sources.

Israel's arrest campaign in the West Bank further agitated the Palestinian militant groups.

Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades, armed wing of President Mahmoud Abbas' Fatah movement, announced on Wednesday its withdrawal from the ceasefire with Israel.

Abu Awad, the spokesman of al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades in Gaza Strip, told reporters that his group decided to resume firing rockets into Israel because of the "daily Israeli violations of the ceasefire".

The Palestinian militants have been demanding Israel to extend the ceasefire to the West Bank, but was rejected by Israeli side despite Palestinian militants' threat of breaking down the truce.

Hamas has dropped out the truce with Israel as early as Sunday when Israeli Defense Minister Amir Peretz said clearly at a cabinet meeting that Israel would not extend the ceasefire to the West Bank.

Editor:Du Xiaodan