Israeli soldiers arrest Palestinian with explosives.

NABLUS, West Bank (AFP) - Israeli soldiers arrested a Palestinian man carrying explosives needed to make a homemade bomb at a checkpoint in the northern West Bank.

The man was detained at the western exit of the Palestinian city of Nablus. Palestinian witnesses said soldiers destroyed the bag he was carrying.

An Israeli military source said the 28-year-old Palestinian was carrying five bottles wrapped in duct tape, gunpowder, nails and shrapnel, which he intended to make into a larger explosive device.

A knife was also found in the bag, along with Israeli military fatigues and boots, the source said Monday.