The Israeli occupation forces (IOF) at dawn Tuesday kidnapped 17 Palestinian citizens during large-scale sweeps in the West Bank.

Local sources reported that the IOF raided dozens of Palestinian homes in Bethlehem, al-Khalil, Salfit, Ramallah, and Jenin, wreaked havoc on them, and interrogated their residents for hours.

The sources said that 16 Palestinians were arrested during the raids, including ex-prisoners and prominent leaders.

Meanwhile in Jericho, violent clashes broke out at daybreak when the IOF stormed the city and kidnapped a Palestinian youth from his home.

Other confrontations flared up in Azzun town in Qalqilya where the IOF soldiers fired tear gas bombs and Palestinian citizens responded by throwing stones.