Israeli troops raid villages, arrest Hamas members

Israeli security forces raided several West Bank villages and arrested Hamas activists and their families on July 30 following a deadly suicide attack in a Jewish market in Jerusalem, relatives said. The army said Israeli security forces had arrested 28 Palestinians overnight in the West Bank in connection with "hostile terrorist activities."

Israeli soldiers stormed into Dahariyeh village near the West Bank city of Hebron and arrested nine members of two Palestinian families whose sons have been missing for 15 months, relatives said.

In Qossin village near Nablus, the army arrested 15 Palestinians from one family early on July 30.

Israel sealed off the West Bank and Gaza strip and confined Palestinians to their cities and villages following the bombings. "The closures and Israel's measures are a collective, punitive measure which give new ammunition to those who want to resort to violence and it is an indication that Israel still behaves as an occupier," said Palestinian Higher Education Minister Haran Ashrawi.