WEST BANK, March 31, 2011 (WAFA) – Israel escalated its attacks Thursday on Palestinians in the West Bank, including raids, arrests and attacks by settlers.

Israeli forces raided Arraba town and Fahma village south of Jenin in the northern West Bank, driving their military vehicles into the alleys and streets of Arraba town, raiding Fahma village twice last night and stationing soldiers there.

Israeli forces also raided Beit Awa town west of Hebron in the southern West Bank, searched a Palestinian’s home and tampered with its contents. They raided Deir Samit and several neighborhoods in Hebron, stopping and searching vehicles and checking ID cards.

According to security sources, Israeli police arrested four Palestinians in Hebron. One man was arrested after they raided his house and threw sound and gas bombs at it.

Mohammed Awad, spokesman for the National Committee Against the Wall and Settlements told WAFA that Israelis arrested three Palestinians in Beit Ummar town, northwest of Hebron, after raiding their homes.

The main entrance of Beit Ummar town has been closed for nine days in a row by Israeli forces, who have been blocking the road for Palestinian vehicles and throwing sound and gas bombs at them.

Israeli forces arrested a Palestinian and his son in Hares town, west of Salfit in the West Bank, early this morning after surrounding his house and inspecting it thoroughly, according to local sources.

Meanwhile, a group of settlers last night attacked and stoned two Palestinians as they were driving on the Jenin-Nablus road, causing them injuries and head bruises. Another settler last night ran over a 3 year old Palestinian girl who was playing in front of her home adjacent to the settlement of Kiryat Arba, which is illegally built on Hebron land.

T.R./F.J.