GAZA CITY (Ma’an) -- Israeli forces detained three Palestinians on Thursday by the disused Gaza airport near Rafah, the Israeli army and locals said.

Witnesses told Ma'an that special Israeli forces detained Akram and Ismail al-Soufi near the Yasser Arafat International Airport in southern Gaza.

An Israeli army spokesman said that early Thursday three men attempted to cross into Israel and were arrested by soldiers. A fragmentation grenade was found amongst their belongings, he said.

All suspects were detained for questioning.