A Hamas official in the West Bank says Israeli forces have arrested 40 Palestinians across the occupied West Bank, including lawmakers, in overnight raids.
The arrests come in the wake of a pair of deadly shootings this week believed to have been carried out by Hamas activists.
The official spoke on condition of anonymity fearing arrest by Israel. The Israeli military on Friday confirmed the overnight arrests.
The West Bank, which Israel has occupied for more than 50 years, saw the third Palestinian shooting in two months Thursday.
A Palestinian gunman on Thursday opened fire at a West Bank bus stop, killing two Israeli soldiers. Earlier this week, another gunman opened fire at another bus stop, wounding seven and causing the premature delivery of a baby that later died.
The army announced reinforcements after the attack and carried out raids in the nearby city of Ramallah, where Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas is based, and other places.
"Forces apprehended 40 suspects wanted for their involvement in terror activities, popular terror and violent riots targeting civilians and security forces," an army statement said.
It said 37 of them were known to be members of Hamas, the armed group that claimed two recent gun attacks, although not Thursday's.
Israel's prime minister has ordered a number of security measures in the West Bank in response to a Palestinian shooting attack that killed two Israeli soldiers.
Benjamin Netanyahu's office says he has ordered the expedited demolition of attackers' homes within 48 hours, increased detentions of Hamas militants in the West Bank and a beefing up of Israeli forces in the region.
He also ordered additional security on roadways and increased checkpoints.
Speaking at a military ceremony, Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel suffered a "tough blow" with Thursday's West Bank shooting.
"We will settle the score with whoever did this," he said. "Our guiding principle is that whoever harms us or tries to harm us will be held responsible."
Around 600,000 Israelis live in settlements in the West Bank, including annexed east Jerusalem, which are considered illegal by the international community.
