Israeli troops moved into the West Bank city of Nablus early today and surrounded a refugee camp, witnesses said.
It is the latest of several Israeli incursions in and around Nablus after recent attacks against Israelis in the area, including a roadside shooting yesterday in which an Israeli woman was killed.
The Israeli military had no immediate comment on the operation in Nablus, which began around 4 a.m. local time (2 a.m. Irish time).
Palestinians exchanged heavy fire with the Israelis, the witnesses said. One Palestinian gunman was wounded by a bullet to the leg, as an Israeli attack helicopter circled overhead.
The Israelis entered Nablus from the north with soldiers, tanks and armoured personnel carriers and took up positions around the Askar refugee camp but did not enter, witnesses said.
Though Israeli troops have entered Palestinian-controlled territory many times during more than 16 months of violence, clashing with gunmen and making arrests, they have not entered refugee camps, known to be strongholds of militants.
On Friday, Israeli forces entered the village of Tamoun, east of Nablus, and arrested 15 Palestinian suspects, according to the military. Also Friday, soldiers entered Nablus and took over an apartment building on a hill overlooking the city.
PA