The Palestinian sources said that the 14 Palestinians were arrested in the West Bank governorates of Nablus, Toubas and Bethlehem.

The sources said that 21-year-old Jalal Mubarak was wounded when Israeli soldiers opened fire on him in the Al-Fara'a refugee camp, near Toubas. Israeli security sources said that Mubarak tried fleeing the scene, and in response, the soldiers fired at him. After he was shot, he continued his attempt at fleeing, but was arrested. He was transferred to an Israeli hospital for medical attention.

The Palestinian sources said that the Israeli soldiers attacked the Palestinian woman Wafa Akram while trying to defend Mubarak who was hiding at her family's home.

In Nablus, a Palestinian was injured when he jumped off a roof in the Askar refugee camp while trying to escape arrest, but also was arrested. Israeli Army radio said that the detainee broke his leg.

The sources said that the Israeli soldiers thoroughly searched the houses of detainees before arresting them.

According to Palestinian official figures, Israel holds around 8,000 Palestinian prisoners from the West Bank and Gaza in its 25 prisoners and detention camps. Most of them were arrested since the breakout of the Palestinian Intifada in September 2000.

On Wednesday, Palestinian Prime Minister Salam Fayyad said that the day of freedom for prisoners is nearing.

"I feel with your demands and suffering, I know what the hunger strike to improve your living conditions means, but I am sure that the day of freedom for your and our homeland is near,” Fayyad said on the occasion of Palestinian Prisoner Day that is due on April 17.

Israel storms Palestinian-controlled territories in the West Bank on daily basis to detain people alleged to be active members of the different Palestinian factions and resistance groups.

The Palestinian Authority said the Israeli incursions undermine its efforts to impose order and security in the territories it controls.