Special report: Palestine-Israel Relations

    RAMALLAH, Oct. 23 (Xinhua) -- The Israeli forces arrested early Thursday 12 Palestinians in the West Bank claiming they were wanted by Israel, Israeli and Palestinian sources said.

    Israel Radio, in its Arabic service, reported that the Israeli army forces stormed overnight and early Thursday morning several West Bank towns and arrested 12 wanted Palestinians.

    Palestinian security sources said the Israeli army stormed the towns of Qalqilia, Bethlehem and Hebron, raided several houses and arrested the 12 Palestinians after searching their houses.

    The sources said the 12 detainees were taken for questioning at several Israeli army and security bases.

    Israel is carrying out almost daily arrests against Palestinians by saying they are wanted for security reasons.

    An Egyptian-brokered six-month truce which took effect in the Gaza Strip on June 19, does not include the West Bank.

    Hamas, which led the talks with Israel through Egypt and reached an oral truce agreement, is weighing the renewal of the truce, which ends on Dec. 18. Hamas demands extension of the truce to the West Bank.

    The Palestinians say Israel is holding 11,000 Palestinian prisoners, most of whom were detained in the West Bank during the Intifada that broke out against Israel in late September 2000.