Palestinians sources: IDF destroys 18 homes in Rafah

The IDF said troops pulled out of Rafah before dawn, after destroying houses used in attacks against soldiers.

The military said it had entered the town Wednesday to search for weapons smuggling tunnels that run under the Gaza border with Egypt.

Soldiers uncovered one 250m-long tunnel during the raid, the army said.

22 Palestinians arrested in West Bank sweeps
Israeli security forces operating in the West Bank arrested 22 wanted Palestinians overnight Wednesday. Among those detained were members of Hamas, Islamic Jihad and Fatah.

In Nablus, troops arrested early Thursday two senior members of the Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades, who were hiding in a secret compartment in a four-story building, military officials said.

Jamal Nablusi and Sultan Tashtush carried out deadly attacks in Israel, the officials said on condition of anonymity. The two were arrested by soldiers under cover of darkness in Nablus' Old City, Israeli media reported.

Troops searched the entire building and found the compartment on the fourth floor, Israel Radio said. After calling on anyone inside to come out, they threw a grenade into the hiding place. It exploded but did not injure Nablusi and Tastush, who emerged soon after, the radio said.

The two suspects were allegedly responsible for preparing explosives belts for suicide bombers, who they sent on attacks in Israel, Army Radio reported.

Nablusi had served 15 years in Israeli jails for militant activity.

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