Special Report: Palestine-Israel Relations

    RAMALLAH, Nov. 22 (Xinhua) -- Israeli troops arrested more than 20 Palestinians early Thursday during military operations in West Bank cities of Ramallah and Nablus, Palestinian security sources said.

    Israeli radio, meanwhile, confirmed the detention campaign and said those arrested were suspected of taking part in shooting incidents against Israeli settlements and the killing of a settler near Nablus.

    The new detentions come as Israel announced that it would release over 400 prisoners on Sunday. Israeli prisons authorities said the detainees would underpass security checks and would signa pledge not to conduct "terrorism" before they are freed.

    Israeli Premier Ehud Olmert decided to release prisoners as a goodwill gesture towards Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas ahead of a U.S.-hosted peace conference slated on Nov. 27.