Israeli occupation forces arrested 65 Palestinians overnight, most of whom were freed in a 2011 prisoner swap, as they scoured the West Bank for three Zionist settlers who were abducted last week.

Israeli occupation forces arrested 65 Palestinians overnight, most of whom were freed in a 2011 prisoner swap, as they scoured the West Bank for three Zionist settlers who were abducted last week.

The arrest operations were praised by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu who said it sent an "important message" in the operation to find the three settlers.

"Sixty-five suspects were detained overnight, including 51 Palestinians that were released in the Gilad Shalit prisoner exchange in 2011," an Israeli army statement said.

It was referring to the release of 1,027 Palestinians in exchange for an Israeli occupation soldier held by Hamas movemnet for more than five years.

Army radio said most of those re-arrested were members of the Islamist movement, which Israel has blamed for the kidnapping of the youths last week in the southern West Bank.

"The overnight activity during which Hamas terrorists were arrested, including those freed as part of the Gilad Shalit release agreement, is something which sends an important message," Netanyahu said in a statement.

Since the searches began early on Friday, occupation forces have arrested some 240 Palestinians, searched around 800 locations and raided 10 Hamas-run institutions, the statement said.