Special report: Israel launches Gaza assault

    RAMALLAH, Aug. 23 (Xinhua) -- The Israeli army forces arrested 11 Palestinians in different West Bank cities on Wednesday morning, claiming they were wanted because they involved in attacks against Israeli targets.

    Witnesses said that the troops stormed Ramallah city and arrested two members of the governing Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) and two others from President Mahmoud Abbas' Fatah party.

    Four other Fatah members were also napped in Nablus city, said local sources.

    In Jenin town in the north, Israeli soldiers arrested four Palestinians, saying they were linked with the Islamic Jihad (Holy War) movement.

    The Israeli army has carried out daily arrests targeting Palestinians in West Bank towns and villages and termed them as wanted persons.

    The Wednesday arrests came after Israel declared a high alert in the West Bank after receiving reports that a bomber might attempt to enter Israel to carry out a bombing attack.

    Israeli security sources reported that the bomber is believed to be coming from northern West Bank.

    According to eyewitnesses, the Israeli army imposed a curfew on West Bank areas and set up roadblocks around Ramallah, causing traffic jams on travelers' routes heading to the city. Enditem