Special report: Crisis between Israel and Palestine

    RAMALLAH, Aug. 28 (Xinhua) -- At least seven Palestinians were arrested by Israeli troops carrying out a large-scale detention campaign in West Bank cities on Monday, said witnesses and security sources.

    In northern West Bank town of Qalqileya, the Israeli soldiers arrested three Palestinians after searching their houses on early Monday.

    In the nearby town of Jenin, the army arrested a fourth Palestinians after breaking into his house and searching it.

    Backed by armored personnel carriers and tanks, the troops stormed the town earlier and opened heavy machine-gun fires at houses, said the witnesses.

    Three other Palestinians, including two brothers, were arrested in Bethlehem city from their houses by the soldiers.

    The Israeli military operation also targeted the northern West Bank city of Nablus, with soldiers breaking into its streets before withdrawing to take up positions on hills overlooking the city. The army opened fire from time to time, but caused no injuries, according to local residents.

    Israeli army sources said the fire was opened in response to Palestinian gunmen who shot at the army in Nablus.

    Israel had already arrested 30 Hamas lawmakers in the West Bank and five of the group's Cabinet ministers after Hamas-linked militants in the Gaza Strip attacked an army post in Israel on July 12 and kidnapped an Israeli soldier. Enditem