RAMALLAH, April 18 (Xinhua) -- Israeli army raided the WestBank early Tuesday and arrested 23 Palestinians, including thefather of Sami Hamad, who carried out Monday's Tel Aviv suicidebombing, Palestinian security sources reported.

    Palestinian witnesses said that Israeli soldiers raided theattacker's village Araqah, west of the West Bank city of Jenin,and took away Sami Hamad' father from his home.

    Sami Hamad, 20, an Islamic Jihad (Holy War) militant, blewhimself up near the crowded old central bus station in southernTel Aviv on Monday, killing nine Israelis and wounding dozens ofothers.

    Meanwhile, Israel Radio confirmed Tuesday that Israeli soldiersarrested 23 wanted Palestinians throughout the West Bank overnight.Israel declared a state of emergency and put police and army onhigh alert following Monday's deadly suicide bombing in Tel Aviv.

    Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert decided on Tuesday torefrain from a major military action against the Hamas-ledPalestinian government which was held responsible for the attack,Israeli Ha'aretz daily reported.

    However, the Israeli army will tighten travel restrictionsbetween the Palestinian cities in the West Bank and continuetargeted killings against the armed factions' activists andcommanders, according to the Israeli army sources. Enditem