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RAMALLAH (Ma'an) -- Israeli forces raided Nabi Saleh village in the central West Bank early Friday, detaining three Palestinians, officials and residents said.

Dozens of soldiers closed the entrance to the village, declaring it a closed military zone, and raided several houses using police dogs, witnesses told Ma'an.

The forces damaged a number of homes and harmed residents in the raids, locals told Ma'an.

An Israeli army spokeswoman said forces detained three Palestinians "involved in violent and illegal riots."

Nabi Saleh, northwest of Ramallah, hosts weekly protests against land confiscation for an illegal settlement, and Israel has cracked down on its residents, carrying out night raids and arresting accused stone-throwers.

The villages' popular resistance committee said the overnight raid shows Israel cannot face the peaceful popular protests in Nabi Saleh.

In early 2011, Israeli forces photographed all the children in Nabi Saleh during night raids on homes, an operation captured on film by a resident working for the Israeli peace organization B'Tselem. Many minors were later arrested in the village.

In December, 28-year-old Nabi Saleh resident Mustafa Tamimi died after he was struck in the face by a tear gas canister fired by Israeli forces.

The people of Nabi Saleh remain steadfast and will continue peaceful resistance to Israel's occupation, the committee said in a statement Friday.