The Israeli army arrested 22 Palestinians Thursday in West Bank raids that targeted key members of a leftist Palestinian faction, Palestinian sources said.

The raids took place in Nablus, Bethlehem and Jenin city, where 10 members of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine ( PFLP) were detained, the sources said.

Among the detainees was Nasser Abu Aziz, a member of the PFLP's Central Committee. "This campaign against the PFLP elements has been going on for days," said Khaleda Jarrar, a PFLP leader.

Israel Radio said that the detainees were wanted. The Israeli army makes arrests in Palestinian-controlled areas of the West Bank on daily basis.