WEST BANK, December 8, 2011 (WAFA) – Israeli forces Thursday arrested five Palestinians and raided villages, houses and agricultural land across the West Bank, according to witnesses.

In Tulkarem, Israeli forces arrested three Palestinians while passing through a temporary military checkpoint, according to the Ministry of Detainees’ Affairs.

The ministry denounced the arrest of Khalil, one of the released Palestinian in the exchange deal, along with his brother and sister-in-law, whom were taken to an unknown destination.

The ministry indicated that the arrest is considered a clear violation of the latest exchange deal.

Khalil spent almost 22 years in Israeli jails and was released in last exchange deal.

In Ramallah, Israeli forces arrested Palestinian, Alaa Samaha, while passing through a temporary military checkpoint set close by 'Ein Sinya, a village north of Ramallah,

In Salfit, Israeli forces raided houses and agricultural land in Wadi Qana, an area west of Deir Estia near Salfit in the northern West Bank, and carried out an extensive combing operation.

Nathmi al Salman, mayor of Deir Istia told WAFA that a great number of Israeli soldiers and police, accompanied by police dogs, raided, combed and searched the houses and orchards.

Farmer, Jihad Mansour, stated that the Israeli forces raided the fields, orchards, and greenhouses.

Israeli forces also arrested resident Jalal Abu Yaqub from Kifl Hares, a town west of Salfit in the West Bank, after raiding the village.

Witnesses said that the Israeli forces searched a number of the houses in the village, among which; the homes of resident Muayyad Al-Qaq and Fawaz Al- Qaq.

M.G. /F.R.