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| By Israel Insider staff and partners February 27, 2007 |
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Palestinian sources reported on Monday evening that Israel Defense Forces soldiers were beginning to withdraw from the city of Nablus.
The Palestinians reported that dozens of IDF jeeps were leaving parts of the city, particularly the Old City. However, they expressed their doubts over the possibility that the operation was coming to an end. The IDF refused to respond to the Palestinian report.
Meanwhile, the IDF concluded two days of intense operations, in which forces have been operating against terror infrastructures after receiving intelligence information.
During the operation, which was launched Sunday morning, large numbers of Israeli forces entered the Samaria city. The soldiers uncovered three explosives laboratories containing explosive devices, LAW antitank rockets, materials for preparation of explosive devices and additional weapons, including military equipment and ammunition.
The IDF has been operating in the city since most warnings on plans to carry out terror attacks came from there. As the forces entered Nablus, the city residents were placed under curfew.
During the operation, forces uncovered a cache of recording and video equipment used to film suicide bombers before they leave for their missions. Five wanted terror suspects were arrested.
Two IDF soldiers were lightly injured on the first day of the operation by an explosive device hurled at them. A series of incidents took place during the operation, including riots, stone hurling and shots fired at the forces. There were no injuries among the troops in these incidents.
On Monday, a Palestinian civilian, Anan al-Tibi, was killed by soldiers during a raid in the city. Dozens of Palestinians were injured while clashing with the troops.
Skeptical over withdrawal
A senior commander of the al-Aqsa Martyrs' Brigades, whose members were the target of the operation, denied the report on the withdrawal and said that the IDF was probably redeploying its forces or attempting to deceive the gunmen in a bid to cause them to come out from their hiding places.
According to the commander, IDF look-outs, snipers and infantry forces remained in entire neighborhoods of Nablus. He noted that as far as his organization was concerned, the IDF had completely failed as it did not arrest one wanted suspect.
"The explosives labs the army was talking about were apparently also aimed at the Israeli public opinion," he concluded.
The Palestinians on Monday continued to condemn the IDF operation and demanded that the international community interfered in order to halt it.
During the operation, the IDF bombed two houses, including the home of a senior al-Aqsa commander. The organization vowed to retaliate against Israel.
Ynetnews contributed to this article. |
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