Palestinians hurl rocks near a security fence in Ramallah last year. Photo: wiki commons.

The IDF arrested 10 Palestinian Arab men overnight on suspicion they participated in hurling rocks at Israeli vehicles near Ariel Thursday evening.

One of the cars struck veered off the road and left a three-year-old girl fighting for her life. Three members of her family  were moderately injured.

8 suspects were arrested in Haris, southeast of Qalqiliya, and 2 suspects were arrested in Kifl Haris, southeast of Qalqiliya.

The arrest operation was led by the commander of the Efraim Regional Brigade, Col. Ran Kahana. The Shin Bet (Israel Security Agency) and the Israel Police also took part. The suspects have been taken for questioning.

The IDF said in a statement that it views” terror activities, including rock hurling, with great severity and will continue to act with strength and determination to protect the residents of the State of Israel and maintain security in the area.”

On Wednesday Internal Security Minister Yitzhak Aharonovitch warned of an increase in stone-throwing attacks in Judea and Samaria.

“There is a dramatic increase of stone throwing in Judea and Samaria and a rise also in arrests and indictments,” Aharonovitch said.

“Stone throwing is aimed towards soldiers and civilians. There has also been an increase in cases of robberies on the road. The increase in stone throwing is also evident around Jerusalem and inside Israel as well – in Jaffa, the Negev and the streets of Netanya,” he added.