Israeli forces backed by tanks and combat helicopters raided the West Bank town of Jenin on Tuesday, prompting a gun battle that killed a Palestinian woman in her home.
Israeli forces entered Jenin in search for gunmen from the Al Aqsa Martyrs' Brigades, a militant group linked to Yasser Arafat's Fatah movement.
The Palestinian woman (23) was killed in her home in the fighting, Palestinian hospital officials said, adding that An Agence France Presse photographer was shot in the leg.
Earlier today, the army lifted a five-day closure it had imposed on the West Bank and Gaza Strip for the Jewish holiday of Purim. Palestinian workers were permitted to enter Israel and the Erez Industrial Zone in the Gaza Strip.
Israeli media has reported that tensions between Prime Minister Mr Ariel Sharon and army chief Lieut Gen Moshe Yaalon had risen due to a disagreement over the Israeli leader's plan to withdraw from Gaza unilaterally. Both men denied the reports.
However, top military officials appear to have misgivings about the plan, which could entail Israel evacuating most of its settlements in Gaza.
Violence has increased in Gaza since Mr Sharon made his ideas public last month, with both sides trying to portray a withdrawal as a victory.