Israeli forces entered Palestinian-controlled Bethlehem this evening after a day of clashes left four Palestinians were killed and 120 wounded in the Gaza Strip and West Bank.
|
|
|
Israeli troops engaged in gun battles with Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat's Fatah faction in Bethlehem.
Around five Israeli military vehicles moved into the eastern part of Bethlehem, Fatah sources said, adding that Israel had sent in reinforcements.
Israeli soldiers also entered a Palestinian-controlled area in the village of AlKhader, west of Bethlehem, to hunt down gunmen suspected of being involved in clashes, Palestinian security sources said.
Israeli tanks earlier shelled Al-Khader after an exchange of fire during which two Palestinians were also wounded in live fire by Israeli troops, sources said.
The clashes were part of a series of protests by Palestinians to mark the "disaster" of Israel's creation in 1948 and the displacement of Palestinians.
Over the past month, Israel has launched a number of incursions into Palestinian territory, mostly in the Gaza Strip, in violation of autonomy accords.
AFP