Posted on 05/29/2002 7:23:51 PM PDT by blam
Israeli troops enter West Bank city of Hebron
Israeli troops have entered the West Bank city of Hebron from three directions, according to Palestinian security officials.
The officials said the Israelis moved into the city in three tanks, about 20 armoured personnel carriers and some 20 jeeps. They surrounded several houses.
They said the Israeli operation appeared aimed at making arrests and did not look like an attempt to gain control of the whole city.
The Israeli military had no immediate comment.
Since the end of a full-scale Israeli incursion into the West Bank that ended earlier this month, Israeli forces have been conducting almost nightly raids into Palestinian towns and villages, arresting suspected militants and searching for weapons and explosives.
However, in a longer-lasting operation, Israeli forces have remained in Bethlehem for a fifth day.
The town, 25 kilometres north of Hebron, has been under almost constant military curfew since Sunday. A military commander said his soldiers would remain until their anti-terrorist mission was completed.
Hebron is a constant source of tension because it is divided into Israeli and Palestinian-controlled zones. Israeli soldiers control about 20% of the city, guarding three enclaves where Jewish settlers, including many militants, live.
Clashes between the settlers and Palestinians are common.
Story filed: 02:33 Thursday 30th May 2002
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.