Israeli army has arrested 25 Palestinians in West Bank, sources said yesterday.

The arrest campaign was focused in Bethlehem city, said the sources, adding that the troops had found a pistol and ammunition in one of the houses searched during the operation.

The arrested were wanted for involvement in attacks against Israeli targets, and they had been taken to lockups inside Israeli bases in West Bank, the sources said.

In northern West Bank city of Jenin, the army said one of its convoys came under fire while patrolling on streets. But no casualties were reported.

The army arrests tens of Palestinians everyday in West Bank cities.

Meanwhile, in Gaza Strip, the military wing of the Islamic Jihad (Holy War) movement said it had fired two home-made rockets into southern Israel in response to the Israeli offensive in Gaza.

In a statement faxed to the press, it said the attack took place this morning in spite of the ongoing Israeli operation in northern Gaza strip.

Israeli army confirmed on Wednesday morning that the Israel Defense Force (IDF) is conducting a large-scale operation in Beit Hanoun, northern town of the Gaza Strip.

Eleven Palestinians have so far been killed in the ongoing Israeli operation. The Palestinian rocket attacks also continued as Israeli said the purpose of its Gaza operation was to curb rocket attacks.