Israeli forces arrested 26 Palestinians during raids across the West Bank, Palestinian sources said on Thursday.

The detentions took place in the West Bank towns after midnight and before dawn, the sources added.

Meanwhile, Israeli sources said that two Israeli soldiers and a Palestinian man were wounded when clashes erupted during one of the raids in the city of Qalqilya.

The Israeli media reported that the forces withdrew from the small town and were unable to arrest any Palestinian.

Israel carries out raids in the occupied West Bank on a daily basis, saying the troops are tasked to chase down Palestinian activists wanted by the Israeli security and intelligence services.

(Xinhua News Agency May 21, 2009)