RAMALLAH, July 25 (Xinhua) -- The Israeli army launched a large-scale arrest campaign in the West Bank from Friday evening to Saturday morning, detaining at least 80 Palestinians, less than a day after four Palestinians and an Israeli were killed in clashes in the town of Tell, south of Nablus.
In a press statement, non-governmental organization the Palestinian Prisoners Club said those targeted in the campaign included former prisoners, adding that most of the recent arrests were carried out in response to Palestinians confronting settler attacks and attempting to protect their towns and lands.
More than 3,600 Palestinians in the West Bank have been arrested so far this year, it said.
In response to Friday's clashes, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz announced in a joint statement measures including intensifying military operations, establishing more checkpoints in the West Bank, and establishing new farms, among others.
Meanwhile, Nablus Governor Ghassan Daghlas said the Israeli army continues to close all entrances to the city and is besieging it, leaving thousands of Palestinians unable to return to their homes in the northern West Bank.
"Israeli extremists have begun their election campaigns at the expense of the Palestinians," he warned, referring to general elections for the Knesset, Israel's parliament, on Oct. 27.
Ahmed Rafiq Awad, a professor of political science at Al-Quds University, told Xinhua the coming months are "dangerous because of the elections," adding that the current Israeli government "covers up for and fuels the settlers financially and militarily." ■
