The Israeli army forces on early Monday arrested 27 Palestinians in different West Bank areas, Palestinian security sources and Israeli Radio reported.

The Palestinian sources said that Israeli army forces stormed the West Bank towns and villages of Jenin, Nablus, Qalqilia, Ramallah and Hebron, adding that soldiers broke into houses and detained 27 people.

Israeli Radio, Arabic service, quoted Israeli army spokesman assaying that 27 Palestinians were arrested and were taken to Israeli army detention centers for questioning, adding they are wanted for Israeli security intelligence forces.

Meanwhile, a spokesman for Islamic Jihad armed wing Saraya al-Quds said Monday that even if a long-term truce agreement is reached between Israeli and Gaza militants, the group would response to any Israeli attacks on the West Bank.

Abu Hamza, spokesman of the group's armed wing said in a statement that his movement would accept a ceasefire agreement "I fall factions accept it." However, he said "if the enemy attacks the West Bank during the truce, we will response."

Egypt is mediating an 18-month truce between Israel and Gaza militant groups, including Hamas and Islamic Jihad movements. However, reaching an agreement was blocked after Israel renewed more conditions.

Israel said that there will be no truce with militants, and there will be no lifting of the blockade on the Hamas-ruled Gaza Strip and reopening Gaza crossing points until captive Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit is released.

Hamas officials, who are currently in Cairo, rejected the Israeli conditions and said when the truce became imminent, "Israel is blocking reaching an 18-month-truce, lifting the blockade and reopening Gaza crossings."

(Xinhua News Agency February 17, 2009)