Israeli soldiers die in Jenin ambush
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JENIN, West Bank (CNN) – An ambush attack killed 13 Israeli soldiers Tuesday in what Israel Defense Forces called the highest single military death toll since the current wave of Israeli-Palestinian fighting began 18 months ago.
The deaths occurred when a bomber detonated himself in an alley filled with explosives just as the soldiers entered it, and as Palestinian gunmen fired on the troops from nearby rooftops, the IDF said. The ambush prompted Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon to call Tuesday -- the 12th day of Israel's West Bank operation -- a "difficult day." (Full story)
Brig. Gen. Ron Kitrey said the soldiers were from two separate forces operating in the area. One of the forces was hit by boobytrap explosives and a suicide bomber. Meanwhile, about 20 gunmen opened fire on the second force, which was in a nearby courtyard.
After the incident, Sharon said the Israeli campaign in the West Bank will continue until Palestinian militias are defeated. "This battle is a battle for survival of the Jewish people, for survival of the state of Israel," he said.
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An estimated 150 Palestinians and 22 Israeli soldiers -- including the 13 killed Tuesday -- have died in Jenin since the Israeli incursion began April 2. There was no independent confirmation of that figure, which is a general estimate based on reports from Palestinian officials, Israeli media and eyewitnesses.
Elsewhere Tuesday, Israeli forces, using loud speakers, told residents of a neighborhood in Nablus to leave their homes because they were going to fire, according to reports. The IDF said its troops were continuing to search for suspected terrorists, illegal weapons caches and explosives laboratories.
Moments later, according to eyewitness accounts, explosions that sounded like tank shells boomed in the distance. The Israel Defense Forces had no immediate comment on the report.
Hundreds surrender
Meanwhile, forces imposed a curfew on the rest of Nablus, the largest city in the West Bank and the site of heavy fighting in recent days. Reporters in the West Bank town said the Israeli army was appealing to males 15 to 45 to give up. The IDF said hundreds complied.
"Several armed terrorists were wounded and 16 explosive laboratories were found," an IDF statement said. "They contained explosive devices ready for detonation, materials for the production of explosives and additional weaponry."
Tanks and armored personnel carriers surrounded the Casbah, the old city in the center of Nablus, according to reports.
The Palestine Red Crescent Society said it had removed the bodies of 48 Palestinians killed at Nablus during several days of fighting. Another 41 wounded had been carried to hospitals but more wounded remained in the city, the Red Crescent said.
Violence continued elsewhere, too.
- Troops withdrew from Qalqilya and Tulkarem after they "seriously harmed the terror infrastructure," the IDF said.
- Israeli forces entered Dura, a town southwest of Hebron, with the goal of "apprehending wanted suspects," the IDF said.
- A rocket was fired into northern Israel from south Lebanon Tuesday following clashes between Hezbollah guerrillas and Israeli troops, Lebanese security sources said. There were no immediate reports of casualties. Earlier, Israeli forces in the area fired artillery into Lebanon after coming under Hezbollah attack. No casualties were reported.
- Three Palestinians were killed in fights with Israeli troops in Hebron, Palestinian sources said.
Israeli troops began their offensive in the West Bank on March 29. The operation started during a wave of Palestinian suicide bombings over the Passover holiday.
Arab anger
Arab nations have condemned the Israeli incursions, launched during a wave of Palestinian suicide bombings over the Passover holiday.
"We have seen how many civilians have been killed, how many civilians have been maimed, how many houses have been destroyed, and how people have not been allowed to get medical help that they needed," said Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmed Maher.
Secretary of State Colin Powell, in Cairo for a meeting with Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak, said he spoke with Sharon Tuesday. The prime minister reaffirmed his "commitment to bring this to an end as quick as he can," said Powell, who is due to arrive in Israel Thursday.
Powell also said he intends to meet with Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat at some point after he arrives in Israel. Arafat has been holed up for more than a week at his compound in Ramallah, on the West Bank. (Full story)
Meanwhile, Israeli officials said they would allow Arafat to meet with his senior aides once the aides meet with U.S. Middle East envoy Anthony Zinni. Palestinians said they need to meet with Arafat first, because they have not talked him in days.
Arafat's senior officials will confer with Arafat on Wednesday, said Saeb Erakat, the Palestinians' chief negotiator. After that session, another group of senior Palestinian officials will meet with Zinni, he said.