Israel rounds up 18 Palestinians in West Bank raids

RAMALLAH, Palestine (AA) - The Israeli authorities have detained 18 Palestinians in overnight raids conducted in the occupied West Bank, the Israeli army said Thursday.

In a statement, the army said the detained Palestinians had been wanted on suspicions of involvement in "terrorist" activities directed against Israelis -- a reference to the throwing of stones and Molotov cocktails.

It went on to allege that three of those arrested were members of Palestinian resistance movement Hamas.

The Israeli army frequently carries out sweeping arrest campaigns in the occupied territories targeting Palestinians "wanted" by the occupation authorities.

Over 7,000 Palestinians are currently languishing in prisons throughout the Jewish state, according to the Palestinian Ministry of Prisoners’ Affairs.