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Israeli Forces Place Nablus Under Curfew, Palestinians Voice
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Condemnation
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http://enews.voanews.com/t?ctl=16667DC:A6F02AD83191E160DE3085467AAC44149574F7DCC14957C0 Army said operation
could last several days and is aimed at uncovering bomb factories and
arresting wanted Palestinian militants





Palestinian youths throw stones toward Israeli soldiers, not seen,
during an Israeli army operation in the West Bank City of Nablus, 25
Feb 2007

Israeli forces have raided the biggest Palestinian town in the West
Bank. As Robert Berger reports from VOA's Jerusalem bureau, the
Palestinians are accusing Israel of torpedoing efforts to get the
stalled peace process back on track.

Israeli troops in dozens of jeeps and armored vehicles stormed into
the West Bank town of Nablus, placing about 50,000 Palestinians under
curfew. Soldiers conducted house-to-house searches, and residents were
ordered to stay indoors.

The raid focused on the Casbah, or Old City, a densely populated area
of narrow alleyways, apartment buildings and markets.

The army said the operation could last several days and is aimed at
uncovering bomb factories and arresting wanted Palestinian militants.
The incursion comes a few days after a would-be suicide bomber was
captured near Tel Aviv.

"We will defend our citizens and we will pinpoint against all of those
terror cells in the West Bank who try to attack us," said Israeli
spokeswoman Miri Eisen.

Palestinian officials accused Israel of harming the efforts of
moderate President Mahmoud Abbas to revive peace talks.







Saeb Erekat (26 Jan 2007)"We condemn this Israeli raid. It is
absolutely uncalled for. We do not need to go back to the cycle of
violence," said Palestinian legislator Saeb Erekat. 

But Israel has repeatedly complained that Mr. Abbas has failed to
crack down on militants operating from territory under his control.
Israeli analyst Dan Schueftan says that leaves Israel with little
choice.

"Israel will have to continue and take military action just to keep
the level of terrorism below the level that is insufferable from an
Israeli point of view," said Schueftan.

The army says it launched the Nablus operation after receiving
intelligence information that terrorists in the city were planning a
wave of suicide bombings in Israeli cities.


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