World Bulletin/News Desk

Israeli forces have detained 17 Palestinians in the occupied West Bank overnight over their suspected involvement in "activities against Israeli targets," according to the Israeli military.

The army, in a Monday statement, said that two of the detainees are local Hamas leaders in the central West Bank province of Bethlehem.

The remaining were detained in various areas across the Palestinian territory, including Jenin, Jericho and Ramallah, it said.

Israeli forces routinely conduct detention campaigns against Palestinians in the occupied West Bank on claims that they are "wanted" by Israeli authorities.

Over 7,000 Palestinians are currently languishing in prisons throughout Israel, according to the Palestinian Ministry of Prisoners' Affairs.