Special report: Palestine-Israel Relations

    RAMALLAH, May 4 (Xinhua) -- Israeli troops on Sunday arrested five Palestinians in the West Bank during raids on various areas of the occupied territory.

    The detentions took place in Ramallah, Tulkarem, Bethlehem and Hebron, Palestinian security sources said. The detainees were taken from their homes after the soldiers searched the houses. The Israel Radio confirmed the report, saying the detainees were wanted by the army for being involved in planning or participating in attacks against Israeli targets. Israel raids the West Bank territories on daily basis and many residents have been arrested recently.

    A Palestinian report issued Saturday said Israel arrested 363Palestinians in the West Bank during the past month. Meanwhile, Hamas said Palestinian security forces arrested 12supporters of the Islamic movement on Saturday.

    Some of Hamas men were arrested after being summoned to police stations and security services' headquarters, Hamas said in a statement faxed to the media.

    A Hamas report yesterday said that 80 members were arrested by the Palestinian security forces in April.

    The security forces, loyal to President Mahmoud Abbas of Fatah, crack down on Hamas since the Islamic movement took over Gaza Strip last June.