MIDDLE EAST: Israel yesterday clamped down on the West Bank city of Nablus for the second time in a week, confining tens of thousands of people to their homes as troops moved from house to house in search of wanted militants.
In nearby Jenin, undercover troops in a car shot dead three militants in a car park, including the chief spokesman for the Islamic Jihad group, Palestinian officials said.
The Israeli army has been operating in the West Bank's commercial centre since last weekend. Forces briefly withdrew yesterday, but at dawn dozens of jeeps, backed up by bulldozers, moved in again.
Nablus, the largest West Bank city, with 160,000 residents, is a hotbed of Palestinian militant activity. The Israeli army claims that most suicide-bombers involved in attacks last year came from the area.
During yesterday's operation Israeli forces blocked all entrances to Nablus's crowded old city as they pursued suspects. Witnesses said more than 100 jeeps patrolled the streets, enforcing a curfew which confined about 50,000 residents to their homes. As troops moved from house to house the Israeli army broadcast messages on Palestinian TV and radio stations urging wanted men to surrender.
The army said that it had arrested five people and uncovered three explosives laboratories. One Palestinian civilian has been killed since the operation began. Fifty people were detained, although many were later released, as troops surrounded hospitals to check people going in and out. - (AP)