Hundreds of Israeli soldiers backed by scores of tanks and other military vehicles took control of the Palestinian city of Jenin today in response to a suicide bombing that killed 14 people.
The incursion into the West Bank, from where Israel says Monday's bombing was launched, was the biggest since an army offensive in April. The army said it was searching for militants planning attacks in the coming days.
Israel carried out the raid even though US envoy Mr William Burns is in the region discussing a "road map" for Middle East peacemaking. Washington wants an easing of two years of violence as it seeks Arab support for possible war in Iraq.
Palestinian President Yasser Arafat told reporters the Jenin operation was "a continuation of the crimes committed by troops and settlers against our people and our children".
Witnesses said troops had commandeered 40 to 50 houses as stakeout posts in the battle-scarred city, reoccupied by the army in June and under curfew for most of the time since then.
Palestinian hospital officials said three youths had been shot and seriously injured since tanks rumbled in during the night. An Israeli military source said troops shot at armed Palestinians.
Armoured vehicles and tanks made frequent rounds through the city streets and soldiers exchanged fire sporadically with Palestinian gunmen, witnesses said.